The Bargain Mart in “A Map of the City” eventually closes because of financial difficulties, and its closing makes a profound personal impact on Miriam’s father’s sense of belonging, and he is physically displaced from his family. As a consequence of the store closing, the family is forced to move out their house into an apartment (Thien 328). Miriam’s father feels like a failure, he is said to feel “only despair” at this change (Thien 328). Miriam’s father is suggested to feel like he cannot do well in Canada, is not a good businessman, and is unable to support his family. All of these claims were anchored to the store, thus it is suggested that he does not feel like he belongs anymore, as these are the things he previously valued. Miriam’s
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Clare left the house many years prior to the opening of the story, and has gone to the Downtown East side. However Clare’s mother still views the house and Clare’s bedroom as the place where she “raised [her] child” (Lee 101). Clare’s mother cares deeply about the house, because it was the last place she was together with her daughter as a happy family, and where she felt like she belonged. Clare’s mother wants to sustain this feeling and memory. She does this by keeping her daughter’s bedroom, as a kind of shrine. The room is filled with all of Clare’s old “pop stars posters, school certificates, an endangered species calendar, the photos and stickers on her vanity mirror” (Lee 109). These examples suggest that Clare’s mother is trying to use the room to hold onto her daughter, or the memory of her daughter, specifically when she was young and innocent. Clare’s mother’s sense of belonging, stem’s from her role as Clare’s mother. Clare’s mother uses Clare’s room as a surrogate for Clare. She does this by feeding the room, trying to give it CDs Clare might like (Lee 108). Clare’s mother cannot do things for Clare, because she does not know where Clare is. Clare’s mother uses the room to fulfill her mothering needs, and to feel like she belongs. However due to medical bill and debt, Clare’s parents need to sell the house, this makes a great personal impact on Clare’s
Clare left the house many years prior to the opening of the story, and has gone to the Downtown East side. However Clare’s mother still views the house and Clare’s bedroom as the place where she “raised [her] child” (Lee 101). Clare’s mother cares deeply about the house, because it was the last place she was together with her daughter as a happy family, and where she felt like she belonged. Clare’s mother wants to sustain this feeling and memory. She does this by keeping her daughter’s bedroom, as a kind of shrine. The room is filled with all of Clare’s old “pop stars posters, school certificates, an endangered species calendar, the photos and stickers on her vanity mirror” (Lee 109). These examples suggest that Clare’s mother is trying to use the room to hold onto her daughter, or the memory of her daughter, specifically when she was young and innocent. Clare’s mother’s sense of belonging, stem’s from her role as Clare’s mother. Clare’s mother uses Clare’s room as a surrogate for Clare. She does this by feeding the room, trying to give it CDs Clare might like (Lee 108). Clare’s mother cannot do things for Clare, because she does not know where Clare is. Clare’s mother uses the room to fulfill her mothering needs, and to feel like she belongs. However due to medical bill and debt, Clare’s parents need to sell the house, this makes a great personal impact on Clare’s