In what way does this book show how social and/or cultural beliefs stigmatize, marginalize, or endanger the lives of certain individuals, like children, women, ethnic or religous groups, etc.
Assimilation, the process of adjusting to a new culture, varies between people. Adopting the manners, customs, fashions, and beliefs of a new country is an important step. Assimilation can be done in a gentle way, without forgetting one’s roots. This makes the transition to a new country easier and fulfilling as well. Assimilation can be done in a gentle way, without forgetting one’s roots. Therein, the experiences that both Saroo and Mantosh have in assimilating to Australian society differ.
When Saroo arrives in Australia, Mum and Dad go out of their way to make him feel at home, from putting a map of India on his bedroom wall to placing Indian décor throughout the house to eating Indian food. At the same time, they do not force him to learn English instantly or force him to forget his roots. They do the same with Mantosh. As a result, the transition to Australian society is easier.
However, since Saroo came to Australia at a much younger age than Mantosh. he became more Westernized by the ages of nine and ten. Mantosh arrived in Australia when he was ten. Thus, Mantosh’s older age at the time of his arrival made his assimilation more difficult than Saroo's. Mantosh had lived more of his life in India than had Saroo. The age difference also matters with older native Australian kids. Younger kids are more accepting of Saroo than older kids are accepting of Mantosh.
Mantosh also has difficulty adjusting because of the abuse in his past. Distrustful of others thanks to being sexually and physically abused by family members and others, Mantosh is understandably defensive toward them. His determination to go on the attack for every slight and in every situation leads to more bullying and cruel behavior toward him. Eventually, however, this bullying and antagonism fade over time.
