Clothes By Divakaruni Summary

The American Dream
In the short story “Clothes”, Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni tells a story of a young Indian women, Sumita, and her cultural transition to America after her arranged marriage to Somesh, an Indian man that lives in America. Somesh is co-owner to a 7-eleven store in California which he is very invested in. Throughout the story, he is always working at his store in hopes of making extra money towards his and Sumita’s future. His late nights working at the store later leads to Somesh’s tragic death. Upon analysis of all of the events that occur and Somesh’s death, I’ve come to realize that Sumita is torn between two diverse cultures and also that the American dream is not always what it is set out to be. This dream everyone longs for

and works their lives towards is sometimes hard to obtain, not obtainable and/or in this case, even end in tradgedy.
Early on in the story, we get an idea of how Sumita perceives America and its culture.

The way she talks about the 7-eleven store and describing it as exotic, strange and even risky. We get a sense that this is very unfamiliar to the culture she grew up with. Once she is in the country, she still follows her culture in the way that the wife takes care of the in-laws and she still wears her saris. Somesh manages to sneak her different American clothing. Throughout the story, we find her describing the different colors in the American clothing and also with the saris. (A motif that occurs.) This symbolism and motif allow the reader to grasp a better understand of Sumita’s feelings and transition into the culture and her new way of living. Though her dreams of her working and wearing American clothing is very common to us, it is the complete opposite of her culture and is not allowed. Also in the end of the story after Somesh’s death, her decision to stay and get an education is not something that usually takes place in her culture. This is where I came to realize the beginning of her being torn apart between the two cultures, with her wanting and wishing to do certain things yet around her in-laws, she follows her

culture.
As defined online by Merriam Dictionary, the American dream is “a happy way of living that is thought of by many Americans as something that can be achieved by anyone in the U.S. especially by working hard and becoming successful.” This is want Somesh and Sumita strive for. Throughout the story, Somesh always expresses his great desire for his and Sumita’s future together. “As soon as we move into our own place” (Divakaruni, 586) “I want you to go to college. Choose a career.” (Divakaruni, 589) Though, it is made clear that an education is not what is desired by Sumita, she pictures herself working shifts at the convenient store and make money for them and their future toward achieving the dream. It is that dedication in both Somesh and Sumita that is present in everyone in this country towards the dream. It is that same dedication that also results in Somesh’s death.
After Somesh’s death, Sumita faces the choice of either staying in California or returning to India to live with her relatives or in-laws. She understands what both decisions entails, yet she still decided to follow the path Somesh had wanted for her, to get her education in pursuit of the American dream, get a job and hopefully become successful. Though this story portrays the American dream to be unattainable and even result in tragedy, is it something that people have high hopes for and will continue pushing for it until achieved. The American dream is the main reason for a lot of people to come to the U.S., in hopes of that successful happy lifestyle. People will do anything in their power to try to obtain this, even risk their lives but if achieved, it’s truly a great accomplishment.