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Montreal 1962 And Shauna Singh Baldwin's Elegy

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An immigrant's life can be very challenging, as they often struggle to adjust to society. The primary reason for someone to immigrate is to gain access to new opportunities in a new country. Nevertheless, it can be difficult for an immigrant to maintain their personality, culture, and identity in an environment that does not respect their culture. The short story “Montreal 1962” by Shauna Singh Baldwin focuses on what it is like being an immigrant fighting for an identity, whereas Lena Tuffaha’s poem “Elegy” emphasizes that certain individuals are willing to give up their identities in order to be accepted into society. As each individual has his or her own opinion, it leads to different beliefs and values, which is reflected in both "Montreal 1962" and "Elegy". In "Montreal 1962," the wife is adamant about not losing her cultural identity while she and her husband try to find their place in society. However, the problem with displaying one's culture in society is that it will be criticized and judged solely because it is seen as different or unusual. For instance, when the wife “took one of [her] wedding saris to the neighborhood dry cleaner... She [was] asked [if] it [was] a bed sheet” (Baldwin, 45). This expresses how people in society do not take the time to respect the religions of others. The woman …show more content…

The wife is willing to make any

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