Identity In Little Annie John

Often children of immigrants are raised in between two worlds. Partially immersed in the culture of their parents through traditions, food, and etiquette at home they learn how to be a part of one culture. Still, whenever the children are to leave home, they are expected to adapt to the culture of the society that they live in. The food, customs, and standards change between the two cultures and the child is left to feel the resounding differences. The culture in which their parents were raised and the culture which the children are forced into because of their location differ greatly. On occasion, this can pressure them to not only fit the society’s status quo in public, but to also fulfill the family’s expectations at home. Many will end up facing an identity crisis. Many children of immigrants do not understand which culture they belong to or which traditions they should practice because they are surrounded by two different sets norms. Little …show more content…
Her home is a post-slavery society which Annie does not entirely fit in . While her feelings towards Columbus and his acts of oppression stem from the story of her ancestors and the mistreatment they received in consequence of Columbus, Annie is punished. This story is relatable for some Native Americans who know of the pain inflicted by Columbus, his men, and other European men after them, yet they are still involved with a society that annually celebrates him on Columbus Day. Annie John was reacting in a way was understandable to those of her culture and circumstance, but she was at a school run by people of different cultures who believed Columbus was a great man. Annie’s headmistress thought that she “had gone too far this time, defaming one of the great men in history…” while she was caught in between the cultures of the oppressed and the oppressors