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The Arsonist


One of our most elegant and engrossing novelists at her inimitable best.
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Frankie indicates some contrasts in her foreign and American lifestyles. Did you see them?

Created: 07/30/14

Replies: 1

Posted Jul. 30, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
cynthiad

Join Date: 11/25/12

Posts: 34

The Arsonist - Frankie shows contrasts of living in Africa & America. Did you see them?

Boarding the first plane from Africa, Frankie accepts sharing space with big families, including their chickens.
Later, on the last leg of the flight, the American plane offers sleep mask, toothbrush, sox, in-flight movie.
Even the movie's content seems crude, stupid as opposed with her conversations with Brits on her job.
First grocery shopping experience is overwhelming with so many choices, plus the fat, healthy children in the store.
Yet, she was not afraid at night in Sudan. She was housed in a locked, fenced, guarded compound.
Her parents and their neighbors do not lock their doors.


Posted Aug. 27, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
jeann

Join Date: 11/14/11

Posts: 56

RE: Frankie indicates some contrasts in her foreign and American lifestyles. Did you see them?

Coming back to American, Frankie was struck by the abundance vs. the scarcity. The expectations of people at home, vs. the stoic acceptance by the African people of their lives as "the way things were".
The rich vs. the extreme poverty. The relative safety at home, vs. the vulnerability of the Arican people seeking help. Even the "small talk" of the people when she came home vs. the life and death that she dealt with in Africa. Huge contrasts.


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