You Bring the Distant Near

In the second half of Part 2, tensions escalate between Sonia and her mother, and the Das family moves from New York City to New Jersey. These chapters develop the theme of Family Dynamics and Cultural Identity by showing how traditional expectations for Bengali women impact Sonia and Ranee’s relationship. For example, Sonia feels that Ma cares about her academic success “only because it elevates her social status” (68) with other Indian women. Ranee also damages her relationship with her daughter when she fails to defend Sonia or her husband from Big Harm’s colorism and criticism. In addition, Chapter 4 develops the theme of family dynamics by depicting one of the parents’ arguments. When Ranee tries to make Tara take a side, Sonia shields her sister from her mother’s manipulation: “This is your fight, not ours” (71). The song “War,” which expresses the need for harmony, makes a fitting soundtrack for the sisters as their parents fight. Due to the conflict between their mother and father, the Das sisters must rely on and protect one another.

Sonia expresses her feelings about her family’s problems and her frustration with cultural traditions in her diary. Chapter 4 depicts how her self-described “captivity” impacts her writing and emotions: “Unless I’m alone—without another member of the Das family around—my thoughts don’t spill across the page. And when they get stuck inside me, they simmer and boil. I worry they might even explode” (60). Writing on the fire escape offers her a degree of solace and privacy, but these are both violated when her mother discovers Sonia’s short-lived sanctuary. Just as Sonia defends Tara during their parents’ argument, Tara stands up for her little sister when Ranee reads her diary. The diary serves as a motif for the theme of Womanhood and Empowerment, and it’s later revealed that reading her daughter’s words motivated Ranee to find the power to change her behavior toward her husband.

Chapter 5 brings emotional and geographical shifts for the Das family as they trade their Queens apartment for a house in New Jersey. After Ranee reads Sonia’s diary, she makes a conscious effort to improve her relationship with her husband. The clearest proof of this is her agreement to move into the house that Rajeev loves even though she complains that it’s “[h]ardly bigger than this flat” (80). While Ranee and Rajeev’s relationship is on the mend, her relationship with Sonia worsens in this section. Ranee’s biases and Sonia’s values lead to frequent clashes over racism and women’s rights, and Tara observes with weary humor that “[a]rguing is still their favorite way to communicate” (82). By the end of Part 1, life in the Das household becomes more harmonious overall, but Sonia and Ranee’s relationship remains heated.

The Das family’s latest move develops the theme of Love and Understanding across Differences by highlighting the intercultural relationships the daughters developed during their time in Flushing. The girls are reluctant to leave Flushing and the first friendships they forged in the United States. Sonia and Gerald become close as demonstrated by her decision to give the heartbroken boy a cherished copy of her favorite book, Pride and Prejudice. Additionally, David tells Tara that he loves her and kisses her after he learns that she’s leaving. The Das sisters keep these connections a secret from their mother because Gerald and David are Black. However, in later sections, as Sonia and Tara grow older and establish deeper romantic connections, they become more outspoken about their relationships even when doing so clashes with their mother’s biases.

Chapter 6 brings Part 1 to a joyful and promising conclusion. The family dynamics between Rajeev and Ranee improve markedly after they move into their new house. In addition, Tara’s father and sister affirm her dream. Rajeev encourages her to pursue her passion without fear: “There’s nothing wrong with telling a story onstage. It’s beautiful work; it brings people together. [...] I’ll handle your mother—don’t worry about that” (94). Sonia puts her argumentative skills to work for her sister and helps Tara secure an audition. The strength Tara finds in acting connects to the theme of Womanhood and Empowerment. Her name means “star,” and her triumphant proclamation of this fact at the end of Chapter 6 foreshadows her future career as a Bollywood movie star. Chapter 6 illustrates that the Das family’s bonds are a source of love and support, not just tension and conflict.