The Consequences of Providing Happiness to One’s Family Former president of India A.P.J Abdul Kalam once said, “Let us sacrifice our today so that our children can have a better tomorrow.” People make sacrifices in the present so that future generations can have a better shot at life. What humanity’s actions will affect the people of tomorrow? The immigrants in Cristiana Henequez’s novel The Book of Unknown Americans face this viewpoint. The novel mainly follows two families: the Rivera family, who recently immigrated to the United States from México to receive medical help for their daughter, and the Toro family, who immigrated to America from Panamá several years ago. Henequez utilizes literary devices to demonstrate that when someone wishes to have an ideal
…show more content…
Maybe they wouldn’t have done so well in Panamá. Maybe they wouldn’t have the same opportunity. So that makes coming here worth it”(23). Henequez uses the word “gratified” to highlight Rafael’s positivity about immigrating. Gratified denotes feelings of giving others pleasure or satisfaction; it connotes feelings of happiness and putting others before oneself. Thus, this confirms Rafael’s desire for his children to experience more pleasure than they might have if they were to live in Panamá. It brings him joy to see his children happy despite the difficulties that arise as an immigrant. Additionally, Rafael answers many hypothetical questions about his children’s quality of life. He strongly believes and doesn’t doubt that he’s giving his children the best life he can provide by coming to the United States. After Alma Rivera witnesses her daughter getting assaulted, she tells her husband, “‘What if God wants us to be happy? What if there is nothing around the bend? What if all our unhappiness is in the past, and from here on out, we get an uncomplicated
Maybe they wouldn’t have done so well in Panamá. Maybe they wouldn’t have the same opportunity. So that makes coming here worth it”(23). Henequez uses the word “gratified” to highlight Rafael’s positivity about immigrating. Gratified denotes feelings of giving others pleasure or satisfaction; it connotes feelings of happiness and putting others before oneself. Thus, this confirms Rafael’s desire for his children to experience more pleasure than they might have if they were to live in Panamá. It brings him joy to see his children happy despite the difficulties that arise as an immigrant. Additionally, Rafael answers many hypothetical questions about his children’s quality of life. He strongly believes and doesn’t doubt that he’s giving his children the best life he can provide by coming to the United States. After Alma Rivera witnesses her daughter getting assaulted, she tells her husband, “‘What if God wants us to be happy? What if there is nothing around the bend? What if all our unhappiness is in the past, and from here on out, we get an uncomplicated