Through meaningful symbolism and changing point of view, Chitra Divakaruni’s ‘Clothes’ emphasizes the clash of cultures and finding one’s true identity. Near the end of Sumita’s transition through American cultures, the colors that she wears in America become dull and colorless compared to the traditional colors in India that are rich and beautiful. To begin with, the author uses symbolism to convey the emotional changes that Sumita experiences and Divakaruni does this to keep Sumita grounded with her Indian beliefs during her transition. The saris that are worn have different meanings and emotions behind it. The first reference to symbolism is in the first paragraph, “Make my sari float up around me, wet and yellow, like a sunflower after
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At first, Sumita was nervous yet excited about a new life and marriage in America. Even after Somesh’s death, she finds her identity, regardless of her tragic loss and decides to leave her traditional customs behind to start teaching. And, while in this situation, Sumita sees this as a new beginning. When she received the cream blouse and brown skirt, it is almost like Sumita’s old self is rebirthed and she has accepted the American culture. Also, the blue jeans that Sumita wears symbolizes her new found freedom and this correlates with the blue sari that represents hope and prosperity, while attempting to ‘Americanize’ herself. In the end, her point of view changes drastically as she moves from India to America and she initially grows as a person by deciding to stay in America after Somesh’s death to become a teacher. In other words, her Indian cultures are overcome by her perspective in America. She encounters many conflicts and struggles with finding her identity and where she belongs, she moves to America hoping to find the ‘American Dream.’ When her husband dies, she wears the color white at his funeral, which signifies the mourning for widows and after deciding to stay in America, she does not want to be a traditional widower. And, after Sumita tears the white sari off, she is ’killing’ her old customs and beliefs and this broadens her perspective. She feels the need to fulfill her
At first, Sumita was nervous yet excited about a new life and marriage in America. Even after Somesh’s death, she finds her identity, regardless of her tragic loss and decides to leave her traditional customs behind to start teaching. And, while in this situation, Sumita sees this as a new beginning. When she received the cream blouse and brown skirt, it is almost like Sumita’s old self is rebirthed and she has accepted the American culture. Also, the blue jeans that Sumita wears symbolizes her new found freedom and this correlates with the blue sari that represents hope and prosperity, while attempting to ‘Americanize’ herself. In the end, her point of view changes drastically as she moves from India to America and she initially grows as a person by deciding to stay in America after Somesh’s death to become a teacher. In other words, her Indian cultures are overcome by her perspective in America. She encounters many conflicts and struggles with finding her identity and where she belongs, she moves to America hoping to find the ‘American Dream.’ When her husband dies, she wears the color white at his funeral, which signifies the mourning for widows and after deciding to stay in America, she does not want to be a traditional widower. And, after Sumita tears the white sari off, she is ’killing’ her old customs and beliefs and this broadens her perspective. She feels the need to fulfill her