Cal is constantly torn in two. She has known for a long time that she is very different from other kids, but yet she holds it inside, keeping it a secret that she alone is left to bear.
As an immigrant, I am sure at times you feel lonely as well, and feel isolated from those around you. You strive so hard to hold on to your own culture without giving up your previous identity altogether.
Cal at the end has to choose to give up her identity just as an immigrant would do. However, Cal's change was abrupt and decisive while an immigrant probably has more opportunities to ease into the changes at their own pace.
For both an immigrant and for Cal, there is one leg in the door of one life and perhaps only a finger in the door for the other, and eventually your whole body needs to go through in order to be at peace with yourself.
I think either situation would be hard, but I feel especially for Cal as hers is a road that mostly has to be travelled alone. All of her friends and family had to be cast aside for a spell in order for her to find herself. Desdemona and Lefty at least have each other for the transition and they are able to collect more family along the way.
Actually, it seems as though Cal is the only family member who has to completely leave her family in order to discover her identity. The other members of her family seem to be unable to branch out, even when looking for their life partners in marriage.
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2 comments:
Take #1 and not covered up by the heading....so that the response can be seen on take #2
In our own Swedish culture, Anne, we hear how our various relatives came over to this new country and where they settled. Some in Kansas, some in Minnesota, some in the U.P. of Michigan...their stories all had their similarities, hardships, heartbreaks and perserverance. Yet, here we are today. And , so it goes for those in other ethnic groups all over the world, still happening as we speak.
Cal is so much like those immigrants, learning how to go it alone at a very young age, and leaving that which is known and familiar behind.
I actually thought that out of all the stories of her (his)relatives, in many ways hers (his) was THE success story of success stories in that she (he)faced who she (he)was in the "new world" and went forward with courage and determination, knowing that the past is past and there is a new future ahead...one of truth.
(And, I really liked your analogies about opening doors in various degrees of body parts!)
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