Comparison Blog #7

There is an apparent difference between the daily lives of those living in Haiti, and those living in New York in Krik? Krak! Not only are they treated differently socially, but the characters  lead different lives with various opportunities. While it is apparent that in Haiti many of the characters struggle to cope on a day to day basis, the women we have read about in New York are presented with job opportunity and learn how to live outside of Haiti. However, a common link between stories such as New York Day Women and Night Women is the character's ambition and desperation to provide for their families.

As we discussed in class, the main character in Night Women sees no other choice but to provide for her son by becoming a prostitute. While she does not enjoy this opposition nor does she feel comfortable to be honest with her son about it, she has hope for her future. By doing this, her sacrifice to provide for her son is evident and most of the time, heart breaking.

In addition to this main character,  another example of sacrifice to provide for their families is clearly seen in New York Women. Although this woman is less concerned about her relationship with child (compared to Night Women), she gives up most of her time in order to work as an au pair. By spending her time caring for other children instead of her own, she is able to earn a steady income, most of which helps pay for her own daughter.

In Caroline’s Wedding, the reader is given a very different focus than any other story we have read so far. Although the story surrounds a family, there is less unity amongst them. Because the main character was born in Haiti, unlike her other sibling, Caroline, she struggles with her nationality and feeling like she belongs in her family. While this may seem upsetting to follow a character who feels like they don’t fit in with their family, it teaches the reader so much about unity that can be created from nationality and origin.

Overall, I would say a common theme between these three stories is family and the sacrifice one makes for their family. While each contains heart-wrenching situations, it is clear that these stories show how people individually benefit from putting family first and having such a strong reliable support system really is.