Improvement. Comparative essay on Leaving by M.G.Vassanji and The Cage

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Improvement.

Comparative essay on Leaving by M.G.Vassanji and The Cage by Neil Bissoondath By Michael Rosario 821-685-773 Displacement is a theme that deals with leaving home. being able to better yourself through change. "The Cage" by Neil Bissoondath and "Leaving" by M.G.Vassanji both play on this theme. In these two stories characterization is used to convey the topic. Characterization is a process by which we are given an in-depth look at the character through the authors details relating to personality and appearance. Symbolism is also used to in both the stories to convey the topic. Symbolism is when a image is associated with something else. The theme of people trying to improve themselves is better demonstrated in "The Cage", through the use of characterization and symbolism.

The idea of displacement is seen in both stories, "Leaving" and "The Cage" . In Vassanji story there is the main character Aloo. He is a gifted young man from an Indian community of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.

Aloo is offered a scholarship, a chance to study in America. He has a choice to improve himself by leaving his family or stay and live a life he given. His mother a very proud and caring person, did not approve of this idea. She sees it as a betrayal, "is this what I raised you for- so you could leave me to go away to a foreign place?"(Vassanji 493) Aloo is trying to make something of himself however there are obstacles along the way. On the other hand, "The Cage" main character leaves her home and her culture in search of improving herself. In this story the narrator feels restricted by her fathers ways, so she leaves and moves to Toronto. She tries to improve her life by running away from her culture but...