Examine Jhumpa Lahiri’s “The Third and Final Continent” and Andrew Lam’s “Who Will Light Incense When Mother’s Gone?” to explain what readers can understand about the experience of immigrants in North America. Read the texts closely to see how the authors handle the situation of cultural encounter or cultural clash. How do the characters of Lahiri and Lam deal with the problem of assimilation and the issues related with home and belonging? To what extent do the characters hold their connection to their heritage, their religion, their culture of origin, their dress, and their language? Include insights on diaspora from Post-Colonial Studies: The Key Concepts by Bill Ashcroft, Gareth Griffiths, and Helen Tiffin (available on Blackboard) GUIDELINES: • Use MLA Format • Provide a brief introduction and thesis in the first paragraph • Specify the titles and authors in the opening paragraph • Organize your ideas in a unified and coherent manner • Provide textual evidence to support your argument • Do not summarize the stories; analyze specific/relevant passages (use the Present Tense) • Quote and cite each text (Lahiri’s and Lam’s) at least once: contextualize the quotes and explain/ interpret them to prove your point. You may discuss Lahiri’s text in more detail • Quote and cite one scholarl
