ipl-logo

Frying Plantain By Zalika Reid Benta

723 Words3 Pages

Sohayb Faraj
Mr. Campbell
ENG-4U
July 23, 2023
In the novel "Frying Plantain" by Zalika Reid-Benta, the main character's journey to adulthood while trying to figure out her cultural identity is a compelling exploration of self-discovery and the challenges faced by first-generation Canadians from diverse backgrounds.
The main character's struggle with her cultural identity and fitting in, especially in a society with different cultures, is a central theme in "Frying Plantain." Throughout the novel, we see the protagonist, Kara, grappling with the complexity of her heritage and the pressure to conform to societal expectations. In Chapter 5, she articulates her feelings of not belonging anywhere: "I feel like I don't belong anywhere. My family …show more content…

Kara's grandmother plays a pivotal role in connecting her to their Jamaican heritage. In Chapter 3, her grandmother's stories and teachings deeply impact how she sees herself and her place in the world. These intergenerational connections are an essential aspect of cultural identity, and Reid-Benta adeptly explores how family traditions and oral histories can shape one's sense of self (Reid-Benta 31). Conversely, Kara also faces conflicting expectations from her parents, whose traditions sometimes clash with the Canadian way of life she experiences outside of home, as seen in Chapter 7. This internal conflict further contributes to her struggle with cultural identity, as she tries to navigate between the expectations of her family and her desire for assimilation into Canadian society. Reid-Benta's deliberate focus on the interplay between family, tradition, and cultural norms effectively emphasizes the complexity of cultural identity for first-generation Canadians. This exploration allows readers to empathize with Kara's challenges and contemplate the impact of family dynamics on shaping one's identity in a multicultural …show more content…

In Chapter 12, Kara's accent and cultural practices at school make her stand out, subjecting her to teasing and stereotyping from her peers. This experience is not uncommon for immigrant children, who often grapple with the pressure to conform to mainstream cultural norms while preserving their heritage (Reid-Benta 112). However, amidst these challenges, Chapter 15 portrays Kara finding solace in a friendship with another first-generation immigrant. This bond allows them to understand each other's shared struggles and provides a sense of support and validation, which is crucial for adolescents navigating their cultural identity. Reid-Benta's portrayal of Kara's school experiences effectively captures the reality faced by many first-generation Canadians. The novel prompts readers to reflect on the importance of empathy and understanding in creating a more inclusive and accepting

Show More
Related

Zalika Reid-Benta Fry Plantain Sparknotes

731 Words | 3 Pages

Literary essay about Frying Plantain by Zalika Reid-Benta Did you know that the author of Frying Plantain demonstrates the concept that being your authentic self and always telling the truth is better for you and everyone else. Kara learned to be honest with herself through mistakes from the past. One thing that can determine an individual’s future is the type of person they were. If Kara always lied when she was young, people would assume shes a liar when she gets older.

Read More

The Importance Of Family Dynamics In Eden Robinson's Son Of A Trickster

2156 Words | 9 Pages

Within the narrative, the author shows the significance of preserving one's Indigenous heritage while simultaneously embracing the transformative power of change. These dynamics are brought to life, showcasing the challenges and conflicts in these relationships. In one scene, the characters express their exasperation, with one remarking, “‘He’s such a tool.’ ‘Yeah. There’s always one in the family.’”

Read More

Intergenerational Trauma In Eden Robinson's Queen Of The North

1434 Words | 6 Pages

In order to fit into the dominant Euro-Western society, Gladys rejects the notion of spirits, despite having the same abilities as Lisamarie. The cyclic nature of intergenerational trauma is reinforced by the fact that Lisamarie and her mother have the same gift. Their shared spiritual ability serves as a metaphor for the struggles faced by many Indigenous peoples in the face of intergenerational trauma. They must balance their

Read More

The Death And Life Of Aida Hernandez Sparknotes

788 Words | 4 Pages

The narrative debunks stereotypes and encourages empathy, ultimately bridging the gap between different cultural

Read More

A Rhetorical Analysis Of How To Stop Stewing By Diana Opong

480 Words | 2 Pages

Opong uses anecdotes in her essay to make her readers understand that empathy is being expressed in the situation from both sides and acknowledge the possibility of the customer not seeing diana. Opong describes an example that is told from a first-person point of view and includes personal thoughts and feelings of the person experiencing the event. Opong states, “Diana felt a little frustrated when the customer didn’t hold the door open for her, but there is a good chance they didn’t see her and it’s not a big deal” (3).

Read More

Becoming Kirrali Lewis Sparknotes

1188 Words | 5 Pages

She also reflects on her upbringing and her childhood to highlight/renforcer the contrast between her family’s beliefs and hers/how she is. In a personal

Read More

Ghost Boys Empathy Quotes

1331 Words | 6 Pages

The emotion of empathy was a big role in this novel, and the empathy

Read More

To Kill A Mockingbird Sympathy Analysis

1212 Words | 5 Pages

Not only can we learn from the characters in To Kill a Mockingbird, but also in the poem Sympathy because we can relate to what the author is talking about. Through these examples, it is clear that authors can best create empathy in their readers by developing strong characters that go through problems that the reader can relate to or learn

Read More

West Of Kabul East Of New York Sparknotes

624 Words | 3 Pages

Ansary states, "At school, I always felt gawky and out of place, because my mother dressed me in American clothes, which set me apart, and my hair was still rather blond. And besides, all the boys knew I was the kharijai, the foreign one, and they gave me a jocular hard time about it." (44). This quote illustrates how Ansary's experience in school speaks to a larger issue faced by many immigrants and their children - the struggle to navigate two vastly different cultural norms and find a sense of belonging. This sense of "otherness" that Ansary feels is not just limited to his physical appearance but also extends to his beliefs and values, often at odds with his peers.

Read More

The Last Night At The Telegraph Club By Malinda Lo

1062 Words | 5 Pages

The author encourages readers to embrace their

Read More

Cultural Symbolism In Madeleine Thien's Simple Recipes

1223 Words | 5 Pages

The father tried to teach his daughter the culture through rice cooking, but she fails to replicate the method; whereas the brother avoids the cultural lessons by integrating himself into the local culture. This heavily suggests the brother rejects speaking the language and the culture, compared to the daily exposure of the Canadian culture and speaking English. The story “Simple Recipes” masks itself as a family having internal conflicts on the dinner table. While analyzing the story, it suggests the difficulty of integrating the local and origin culture in multicultural immigrant families.

Read More

Theme For Lusus Naturae

711 Words | 3 Pages

While reading the story, you can tell in the narrators’ tone that she feels rejected and excluded. She is not happy and I’m sure, just like her family, she wonders “why her?” She is rejected and never accepted for who she really is. She is different. She’s not like anyone else

Read More

Analysis Of Two Kinds By Amy Tan

1369 Words | 6 Pages

For a nine-year-old who wants nothing more than to make her mother proud this was exciting. In the beginning, we can see her excitement and desire, “in the beginning I was just as excited as my mother, maybe even more so.” (Tan). However, as we follow the story we see her excitement quickly fade to sorrow and anger. The high expectations immigrant families place on their children is still a very relevant social issue and can be witnessed throughout the United States.

Read More

My Favorite Chaperone Summary

624 Words | 3 Pages

Immigrants that are new to the American society are often so used to their own culture that it is difficult for them to accept and adapt to the American culture. The language that is spoken, as well as the various holidays and traditions that Americans entertain themselves with, aren’t what most immigrants would deem a neccessity for their life to move on. Nonetheless, they still have to be accustomed to these things if they have any chance of suceeding in a land where knowledge is key. The story “My Favorite Chaperone” written by Jean Davies Okimoto, follows the life of a young girl who along with her brother Nurzhan, her mother known as mama, and her father whom she refers to as Papi have immigrated to the United States from Kazakhstan, through a dating magazine. Throughout the story each family member faces problems that causes them to realize just how different their life is know that they’ve immigrated..

Read More

In Search Of April Raintree Analysis

1394 Words | 6 Pages

For Cheryl, she embraces her Metis culture and heritage. “‘I wish we were whole Indians’” (40). Throughout her time at school, Cheryl reads history books about Metis people and historical figures such as Louis Riel. She would also passionately write on what she thinks about the Metis people. At university, she writes a piece which points about the crucial effects white people have brought along in North America.

Read More

More about Frying Plantain By Zalika Reid Benta

Related Topics

Open Document