Book Of Unknown Americans By Cristina Henrquez: Literary Analysis

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South Korean diplomat and former Secretary General of the United Nations Ban-Ki Moon said: “Migration is an expression of the human aspiration for dignity, safety, and a better future”. There are many reasons for immigration, from escaping countries in peril to looking for better jobs. People may leave behind family, communities, memories, places they’ve lived their entire lives. However, this is all necessary to achieve a common goal: a better future. Cristina Henrquez demonstrates this in her novel, The Book of Unknown Americans. Throughout the novel, Henrquez uses literary devices to illustrate how when a family makes sacrifices, they end up leaving behind familiar environments, but it’s necessary to ensure a better future. Throughout the …show more content…

to find a better job to support his children, as he could no longer support them on his own. Although he had to work multiple grueling jobs, he was still able to provide his children with opportunities: “My son is in college now, and my daughter will start college next year.I believe it means they will both get to do what they want to do. There are not many people who can say that” (89). The choice of “do what they want to do” depicts Gustavo’s children as having freedom of choice. Unlike many in the book, including Gustavo himself, Gustavo’s children are able to freely pick what they want to pursue in life. Without their father’s sacrifice of moving to the U.S., Gustavo’s children would not have had the opportunity to go to college. The phrase “not many people” illustrates Gustavo’s children as standing out compared to others. With the choice of “not many people”, the author further emphasizes how Gustavo was able to provide an opportunity to his children that few are able to grasp: to go to college and pursue their dreams. By leaving their homes, many families are able to provide opportunities and better futures for their children, privileges they would not have received if they had not left their home communities.

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