What America do you see?

It is said that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and that everyone has their own opinions.  Many immigrants to America have a different opinion about the varying beauty of this country and how to become successful.  For many Americans, the pursuit of happiness can only be achieved through prestige and numerous accolades, and true beauty is displayed through luxurious items. 




On the other side, shacks and mobile-homes carry a negative connotation in our society and Bud in Bharati Mukherjee's novel Jasmine reflects this notion by trying to find humor in the misfortunes of the American poor by wondering "who handled their financing (p. 109)."



Jasmine however views a different America than her husband and there are several factors that can be attributed to her thought process.  Hasnapur in essence was the very definition of simplicity.  Unavailable are many objects that Americans take for granted, such as electronics (ie. televisions, radios) and the availability of hot water instantaneously.   In America, we might be quick to label this area as desolate and as a "third world country", however the simplicity of it all helped Jasmine appreciate true beauty more efficiently and gave her a dream to pursue. 

The first night in America for Jasmine was one filled with horror and uncertainty.  After it appeared that Jasmine was being helped by Half-Face, his true motives were unveiled within the Flamingo Court motel.  She was raped in a new world where she had no connections and no ulterior plans other than burning her deceased husband's suit somewhere she had never been.  However the reader is once again subjected to the incredible amount of optimism and courage that Jasmine has within herself.  Even after being raped, she can appreciate the convenience of the availability of hot water and the cleanliness of a run-down motel bathroom.  Her intelligence is again displayed soon after she murders Half-Face and realizes that her fingerprints can link her to his death.  Jasmine's heroics are a testament to her optimism and her courageous personality and resulted due to her pursuit of happiness.  It did not involve money, nor did it involve the acquisition of inanimate objects, but instead it merely involved Jasmine doing what was best for her family.

Jasmine, along with many immigrants, sees a different America than most native-born Americans and for several different reasons.  The difficult process of arriving in America and surviving often contradicts the notion that America readily accepts the tired, poor, and huddled masses.  However once one is able to establish him or herself as a member of this society, it becomes apparent that beauty and success stories can be found elsewhere than on Wall Street.