Zadie Smith's Short Story 'The Embassy Of Cambodia'

In the world we live in many people feel trapped or they feel they have to cave into what the world wants them to be. This kind of tragedy leads to broken dreams and a society were people look down on someone for having goals that fit outside the box. When the author Zadie Smith makes reference towards circles and how Fatou felt when she got fired the author leads the audience to believe that the short story “The Embassy of Cambodia” is about how society puts restrictions on what someone can and cannot do and how toxic relationships can confine individuals. Zadie Smith wants the audience to understand that most people feel imprisoned to society’s rules and expectations and due to this they cannot break free and enjoy their lives. Society
In the short story “The Embassy of Cambodia” Zadie Smith voices, ”walking out into the cold gray, Fatou felt a sense of brightness, of being washed clean, that neither the weather nor her new circumstance could dim.” This specimen is saying that Fatou feels a sense of happiness when she begins to walk outside. It’s trying to point out that Fatou feels like she is “clean” from whatever circumstances she was in and nothing could change the way she was feeling. The quote supports the theme of the short story because Fatou feels a sense of relief ever since she was fired from the Darewals. Fatou now feels free from her previous circumstances. Now Fatou can live her own life. The quote allows the audience to perceive that most relationships individuals are in are pernicious. The readers can implement that once someone breaks free from their poisonous relationship they can now be free and enjoy life with no boundaries. This quote aids the theme because it states that Fatou is now free from her unacceptable circumstances. The story “The Embassy of Cambodia” is about individuals feeling confined to the rules of society and how toxic relationships can hold someone back. Now that Fatou is fired from the Derwal’s she is free to live life with no boundaries. Fatou left behind all of the restrictions the Darewal’s put on her and now she can conquer her circumstances. The relationships a individuals contains can put restrictions on someone and their dreams. The readers are able to see this with Fatou and the Darewal’s. The audience may feel they need to end all of their toxic relationships and embrace life to the fullest. Smith states in her editorial , ”Gratitude was just another kind of servitude. Better to make your own arrangements.” This quote is saying that it’s better to make your own plans because being thankful for something is another kind of slavery. If someone spends their time being thankful for past