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Island of a Thousand Mirrors


A stunning literary debut set during the Sri Lankan Civil War
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Could Yasodhara's transition from life in Sri Lanka to California have been made easier?

Created: 09/15/14

Replies: 5

Posted Sep. 15, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
davinamw

Join Date: 10/15/10

Posts: 3442

Could Yasodhara's transition from life in Sri Lanka to California have been made easier?

Do you think Yasodhara's transition from life in Sri Lanka to her new one in California could have been made easier for her and if so, how?


Posted Sep. 15, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
joyces

Join Date: 06/16/11

Posts: 410

RE: Could Yasodhara's transition from life in Sri Lanka to California have been made easier?

I am not sure it could have. The need to leave and the her parents concern for their children's safety made it necessary. I think having an uncle already living there was to their benefit and most helpful. Children are able to adapt, learn language and become part of the world they live in way faster than the parents and usually make these transitions a lot more easily than their parents.


Posted Sep. 18, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
ylhoff

Join Date: 10/23/12

Posts: 85

RE: Could Yasodhara's transition from life in Sri Lanka to California have been made easier?

The only way it could have been easier is if the parents had had time to learn how to live with the girls, but they were too busy just trying to survive and make the best of a hard situation. Maybe if they had landed in a neighborhood with other immigrants who knew the language and customs they had just left it would have been at least more bearable? Without "community" it is so hard to adjust.


Posted Sep. 21, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
rebeccar

Join Date: 03/13/12

Posts: 548

RE: Could Yasodhara's transition from life in Sri Lanka to California have been made easier?

I did not ever feel like it could have been easier. In fact, they were lucky to have a family member already there to help them with the transition. I doubt that most Americans understand just how difficult a move like this could be. Most Americans are not bilingual and are used to finding people in most any country who know at least a few words of English to help them with transactions.


Posted Sep. 29, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
bobbie7

Join Date: 09/19/13

Posts: 65

RE: Could Yasodhara's transition from life in Sri Lanka to California have been made easier?

Luckily the girls spoke English, so could communicate. I think the uncle and aunt could have spent some time introducing the girls to the customs and mores of American instead of allowing them to wander off. Munaweera certainly described Sri Lanka with love and beauty, but her description of America was very cold and unwelcoming. I guess if I were the girls and I had those feelings it would make my transition quite difficult


Posted Sep. 30, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
mal

Join Date: 09/09/13

Posts: 164

RE: Could Yasodhara's transition from life in Sri Lanka to California have been made easier?

I don't believe their transition could have been easier. I do believe there was a fine line between continuing their cultural expectations and being 'more' American. Seems to be more a family issue requiring dialog. The sisters had it made compared to others in similar positions. Their family seemed to make every avenue open for the sisters.


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