Culture Shock of Coming to America

¶ … living and existing in the United States, one of the common themes and stories that is commonly spoken of is what is known as the American Dream. Indeed, even for those that never make it to the United States, many of heard of that ideal and many of htose that know of it feel it themselves. They have this idea that coming to America will change everything and that there is an endless amount of opportunity. While this may hold true for many people and in many situations, there is alternate perspective that is spoken of much less often but yet is still very real. That idea is that the American Dream can actually seem like a regression to many people. It can include a loss of money, a loss of status and a loss of confidence. While many hold the act and living out of coming of America to be a dream come true, the dream sometimes turns into a nightmare.

Analysis

Before getting into the compare and contrasting that will be done as part of this paper, one should point to the title of the story in question ... one out of many. For those in the know, this is the literal English translation of the phrase e pluribus unum ... which is the motto of the United States and it has been on the currency of the United States dating back to the 1700's. At its core, the United States motto is considered to speak to the inclusiveness of the United States. It is seen as a phrase that typifies how people of all creeds, colors and ethnicities are welcome in the United States. However, in looking at the very beginning of Santosh and his story, one can see that the American Dream is not what everything thinks it will be. For Santosh, it is clear that he knows that he is in the most notable country in the world. Indeed, he refers to Washington as the capital of the world. He also points out that he is full aware that many in India would feel he has done well to become a United States citizen. However, in comparing and contrasting how people are expected to react to realizing the "American dream," one can see that Santosh is less than happy. Indeed, he laments that he was "someone" in India. In America, he is rather insignificant by comparison. In America, he was eventually left out of a job due to the status and direction of the man he served in India (Abrams, 1968).

Through personal experience and through the words of his employer, he learned that the cost of living differential between Bombay and Washington was seismically different. In Bombay, Santosh was in a very comfortable place and had very nice possessions. In Washington, he was a shell of his former self by comparison. In India, he was able to treasure and be among his nice possessions. In India, he had no such comfort. In India, he felt he could face his friends with pride due to the status and prestige that he had there. In Washington, he felt ashamed and felt that he could not face those same friends due to how far he had fallen compared to where he was in Bombay. Santosh would pack his bags in much the same way he did in India, that being in bundles of cloth. In the United States, this was not accepted by the airport workers that attempted to assist him. He had to take his bundles on the plane with him. He was abruptly shooed to the back of the plane. As he sat in the back, he noted that he saw no one like himself on the plane. This would obviously be a stark contrast with what he would see if he were on a plan in Bombay or anywhere around there.