“He’s never seen men so content as when they have to abandon the menial tasks put on them by their nine-to-fives to come home and board up their houses, to leave what does not matter to protect what does. The farce of daily life is put on pause.”
The quotation acknowledges that the threat of a hurricane brings with it a sense of relief for the people in its path. In that, when a hurricane is approaching people set aside their everyday worries and responsibilities. They focus on something more important such as protecting themselves and their property. This allows them to take a break from the farce of daily life and reassess their priorities. The statement also speaks to the idea that humans are resilient and can find happiness in even the most difficult of circumstances. In the face of a hurricane, people come together to safeguard themselves and their possession, hence, finding a sense of unity and purpose. Despite the danger it presents, people find comfort in knowing that they are taking the necessary steps to protect what matters to them. The excerpt demonstrates that people can find solace in times of crisis as it allows them to come together and focus on a common goal.
“I’d experienced similarly artificial camaraderie with fellow second-generation immigrants I met at college, who thought themselves transgressive in electing to take literature courses when their parents expected them to go to medical school.”
The excerpt reflects on the experiences of second-generation immigrants in college. Specifically, those whose parents have expectations for their children's professional success that barely match the paths they choose. Trelawny compares his experience with that of his peers noting that many of them take pride in their decision to pursue literature courses when their parents wanted them to go to medical school. This attitude of defiance and rebellion is contrasted with Trelawny's own experience in which he is expected to work at Home Depot—a job he is not proud of. For many, the decision to pursue something other than the path expected of them by their parents can be a difficult one. The statement highlights the differences in expectations and experiences between second-generation immigrants who come from wealthier backgrounds and those who are not as privileged.
“The difference between exiles and my parents—in fact, the difference between me and my parents—is that my parents have a homeland to which they can return.”
The statement speaks to the struggle many immigrants face in navigating their identities. As an immigrant himself, Trelawny understands the difficulty of trying to fit in while still honoring the culture from which his parents come. This quotation stresses the privilege his parents have since they have a homeland to which they can return. As Trelawny navigates his identity he does so in the context of being an American. He is forced to fight for respect and recognition while rejecting the easy stereotypes that are so often attributed to immigrants. Through his story, Trelawny shows the true complexity of being an immigrant in America. His story is both heartbreaking and inspiring as it recognizes the experiences of immigrants in both the past and present.
