Boston/ America

America as a whole, but Boston in particular, represents the unknown and the encroaching of western culture on Arab tradition and heritage. Karam and Souad both move to Boston much to Alia's dismay and disappointment, and to her it seems like America is the undoing of her children's values and family-oriented upbringing. Alia has an intense disdain for America and blames Americans for many of the problems her family faces. Conversely, America symbolizes freedom, independence, and a fresh beginning for both Souad and Karam, as both move to Boston in search of a better life. America is the place where both raise their own families which shows how it is a symbol for love in their eyes as well. Because America is so far away from Amman and Beirut, it also represents the distance between Souad and Alia, as they have always had a tumultuous...