United States of America

The United States of America is the country to which all of the Indian immigrants in the novel move. They see the United States as a land of opportunity, freedom, and justice. It offers a better life and a better tomorrow. While not everyone remains in the United States of America –Sang flees America for England after a failed romance, and Kaushik flees America when he can no longer handle the death of his mother –most of those who do remain in America fall in love with the country. For example, Ruma in “Unaccustomed Earth” has fallen in love with American culture and society, thrilled to be speaking English and thrilled to be a part of the rich fabric of the country’s diversity. Others, however, like Sudha’s parents in “Only Goodness,” find American to be full of too much fun and freedom. They...