An important theme in this novel is identity: how characters view themselves or how they try to portray their images to other people. Moreover, what influences these characters to create the identity that they do? Despite a period of unemployment and a lack of success in the United States, Arjun’s obvious loser status is completely unknown when he talks to his family back at home. He even goes on to talk to his father about a promotion and makes America seem very glamorous, when he is actually having a terrible time and is barely getting by. Through these lies, Arjun tries to create a new identity to change his parents’ former perspective of him as unsuccessful. In addition, the theme of identity is also present in Priti’s character. Expected by her parents and by society to fulfill the stereotypical duties of a woman, Priti is not praised for having an education and receiving a degree. She creates her own identity through the desire to actually be successful, and fights against the norms of her expected identity as an income-less woman. Yet, she is looked down upon for it. These two examples led me to think about the identity development process in general, and how outside forces can really affect the construction of your identity. While the children are expected to portray certain ideals, both do not, but Arjun is the only one who lies about his inability to do so. I then began to think about my own identity process and how certain factors have contributed to the construction of my identity. This includes familial expectations, proving stereotypes wrong, and personal experiences with prejudice and racism. Ultimately, I am curious as to how others construct their identities: do you let your parents’ visions influence you the way Arjun does? Do you conform to what society expects of you? Or do you just construct your identity like Priti does, by not taking anything else into consideration besides your own desires?
ENGL 146FM: Freaks, Aliens, and Monsters 
I believe that everyone’s identity is influenced by family, friends, and society. Even Priti’s identity against the stereotypical identity is influenced by her family and society. Due to her society’s strict women-belong-in-the-kitchen attitude she gains an against-the-norm/rebel identity. Also, her family’s motivational influence on Arjun makes Priti jealous and she strives to obtain the same treatment by educating herself and getting a job. However, because she is female, her parents dismiss her intellect and find it, rather than impressive, to be undesirable.
To answer your question, I identify myself as a Korean-American Californian female. This identity ties in my family’s and society’s view. Like Arjun, I feel familial pressure to be a good, smart Korean girl and society’s stereotypical view of the Korean-American makes me do or not do certain things like, eating Korean BBQ everyday.
I think Arjun’s identity in America is interesting. He reminds me of Rajesh Koothrappali from The Big Bang Theory—and not just because Rajesh is an Indian from New Dehli. They both share the fresh-off-the-boat-with-temporary-workers-visas, shy, smart, and inexperienced image. To the American eye according to Kunzru’s Transmission and The Big Bang Theory, they are not sexually attractive, but necessary for their intellect. Chris only has sex with Arjun because she is taking E—she knows she doesn’t find him attractive; she has sex with him because his innocence attracts her to corrupt it. I digress, my point is that Arjun’s identity in America is different from his identity in New Delhi: in America he is a undesirable foreign worker while in New Delhi he is a successful man.
In regards to identity formation, I had just learned a term in my linguistics class called “Communities of Practice.” These communities are groups that we are involved in and interact in, and work towards a shared goal. For example, one might have different communities of practice by being a student in an English class, an officer in a multi-cultural club, a member of a sports team, an intern at a company, etc. Each of these social situations work to define a person’s identity. I for one know that I use drastically different language when I am speaking to my close friends compared to when I am contributing comments during an English class.
For me, one of the most blatant examples of discrepancy regarding identity was seen in Leela Zahir. We don’t actually meet Leela until the middle of the novel; prior, we have only seen Leela through the eyes of Arjun, which is interesting because he has only seen Leela through the lense of the camera. As in real life, celebrities live a life that is constantly under scrutiny of the public eye. Leela’s identity is one created by the films she stars in, by publicity agents, and by her mother. The dichotomy between the Leela that is seen in the public eye and the “real” Leela is seen when Gaby encounters the star down by the lake. “Even under the moonlight Gaby could see that she was not quite the double of the dancing girl in the film clips”–a scene reminiscent of the tabloid magazine covers “Celebs without makeup: Revealed!” The outside forces have, quite literally, scripted Leela’s life for her. As with Arjun and Priti, Leela is discontent with the identity that is cast upon her. Ironically, while Priti seeks her independence by taking on a new identity (that of the native Australian woman), Leela has the desire to shed the identity that she already has to reveal her true self. Ultimately, at the end of the novel, the reader is left to speculate on the events surrounding Leela’s disappearance (an ending which reminded me of the mysterious ending of “The Dark Knight Rises.”). I think that a more specific theme of the novel is one of seeking an escape as a means of forming a new life and a new identity.
This is an interesting question. Identities are very dynamic, not static. I would say that most people would like to impress their parents or their guardian but that they also want to exercise their agency and take into account what they truly want out of life as well. Identities are fluid and it changes from day to day because of social interactions. Priti is a woman who is restricted in India so her reaction is to live life on her whimsy since no one else keeps her as a priority. Arjun’s and Priti’s parents place most of their attention on Arjun, so his reaction is to make them proud of all the effort the put into him. Especially since he moved to America without his parent’s full support it is important that he keeps them proud of him. Also, if Arjun and Priti were treated equally I don’t think that Arjun would feel enough pressure to create something like Leela. If just his job were on the line rather than his reputation at home it would lead to a different ending and not a frantic desperation on his part.
It’s also interesting to look at Chris in this. Her identity is obviously different to everyone in the book. Since she lived in America, a place that is more liberal than India, she feels that she can do whatever she wants, that includes tattoos, going against gender norms, and an open relationship. She does not feel the pressure to impress anyone or repay them so she lives life how she wants to.
Although she does eventually conform to the desires of her partner by cutting off her other romantic and/or sexual relationships…..
Right away I am going away to do my breakfast, once having my breakfast
coming over again to read more news.