"Ghosts" by Edwidge DanticatIn the short story, "Ghosts," Edwidge Danticat explores the responsibility of parents forced to remain in a less-than-ideal living situation because of the understanding that they can better provide for their children if they remain where they are. This story explores the impact of poverty on familial life and a parental desire to want more for their children in a society that has already determined their fate.
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"The Leading Man" by Aimee Bender |
"Congratulations. You have
survived the war. Now live with the trauma.". -Lori Nelson |
"Motherland" by Judy BudnitzJudy Budnitz's short story, "Motherland," explores the impact parental beliefs have on children, especially in an isolated environment. In addition, Budnitz effectively illustrates the desire to break from negative and harmful ways of living and the difficulty of accomplishing such a feat.
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"Birdsong" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
The short story "Birdsong," by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, explores a different view of the family than the other three stories. In this story, the narrator outlines her relationship with a married man and the trouble she faces because of her situation. Instead of being presented with the ideal image of a family, Adichie presents a situation in which this ideal image is disregarded for personal benefit. While the narrator represents herself as someone who does not conform to society's expectations of her (she does not adhere to prescribed ideals of gender, religion, or familial expectations throughout the story), she realizes that her approach to relationships may not be the one she truly believes in.
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