Saving Sourdi Analysis

In the society, there are some people who are committed to fighting for equality and justice. Such individuals put their wellbeing on the line for the sake of others. For instance, civil rights activists risk their lives whenever they go to the streets to demonstrate against an unjust government policy or unethical company operations. In most cases, people fighting for the wellbeing of others are often ignored. As a matter of fact, there are those that think such individuals are mere attention seekers. The above-mentioned sentiments are exhibited in "A&P" by John Updike where Sammy opposes the manner in which the store manager treated the three girls that entered his store wearing just bath suits. He ends up quitting his stable job, but the girls he was defending do not notice or appreciate his actions. The same happens to Nea in "Saving Sourdi" by May-Lee Chai who ends up being rejected by her sister despite trying to protect her on multiple
Sourdi matures like other girls but her sister, Nea remains static throughout the story. One of the reasons why the latter remains static is because of her nervousness and aggressive nature. Throughout the story, Nea uses her aggressive nature to save her sister in different occasions without success. In the story, Sourdi and Neas mother finds a husband for Sourdi; an older, wealthy man called Mr. Chhay. Sourdi agrees to marry Mr.Chhay despite his advanced age, Nea voices her opinion about her sister's marriage. She confronts their mother claiming Mr. Chhay was a bad man. Thus her sister should not marry him. Here, it is clear that Nea wanted the best for her sister, and was willing to do anything to ensure that. Just like Sammy in "A&P," Nea is rebellious in nature. She does not follow blindly the society's norms which seemed to discriminate against