Character Analysis: Cutting For Stone

The point of this discussion is to summarize Marion’s escape from Ethiopia in the novel, “Cutting for Stone.” The reason why he fled, along with the challenges he faces are given for example. Traveling as a refugee is frightening and challenging. Imagine leaving everything you have ever known behind, including loved ones.

Marion, the main character in the novel, “Cutting for stone,” must escape the only life he has ever known. Genet, a friend he grew up with and the woman he is in love with, joined a liberation group during war. She was involved in a terroristic attack, and although Marion was not involved, his name was mentioned. Therefore, he was left with the decision to be persecuted or escape from Ethiopia. He chooses to flee his homeland.

Marion goes through the struggle most refugees do when being forced from their home.

During his taxi ride from his job at the hospital to his house to gather belongings, Marion, states how he is just taking in the sights and smells for, what could be, the last time (Verghese, 2009, p.443). Escaping from a place one has called home their entire life in this manner is frightening. Fearing getting caught and persecuted, not knowing what lies ahead of you through the journey, and not knowing the result. Marion goes on to explain not even knowing what to take with him because he has minutes to pack a bag he can carry of belongings (Verghese, 2009, p.444). No time is allotted for making decisions, and all he is able to take is essentials. It literally is a feeling of emptiness, leaving your mind and soul behind, and just physically relocating your body. Marion traveled hiding between tires on a truck, he slept in caves, traveled up hills, and spent two weeks in a safe house (Verghese, 2009). Not only was escaping Ethiopia silently a task, but he also had to try and survive with nothing and nobody. Marion’s end destination ends up being New York in

America.
His relocation ends up being bittersweet, as I think it is for most refugees. He is safe from being punished for a crime he did not commit. Along with this, he is excelling with a new position at an American hospital, opened to new cultures, and is thriving in life. I do think he may have had an easier time in his new country because he has money and is a successful doctor. His circumstances differ greatly from most other refuges who are coming from poverty in one country to poverty in another. He had an easier time obtaining a job which left him with the finances to start his life over. Marion was not left off that easy thought, because Genet arrives back in his life for two days. He finally gets the opportunity to lose his virginity to her. Unfortunately, this was not without ill consequences, because he contracted TB and hepatitis B from her. He became very ill, and his twin brother Shiva donates part of his liver to him. This ultimately ends up killing Shiva.
Therefore, although Marion escaped punishment from Ethiopia he was not able to escape his past. I think migrating as a refugee is bittersweet for most. The negatives of picking up and just leaving everything behind for the unknown is overwhelming and sad. However, great opportunities, hopefully less war, and more freedom usually result. The culture shock and language barriers along with loneliness is frustrating and scary, as well. In the end, I feel most people’s roots run deep, and you can never fully escape your past in one way or another.