Warning: Spoiler ahead
In the film, Will Smith and his dog, Sam, are the only survivors left in New York and possibly America after the spread of a deadly virus. The virus originated from a cure to cancer and affects humans by turning them into monstrous-aggressive creatures who in turn kill/infect other living things. When another survivor tells Smith about the possibility of a safe colony, Smith refuses to go because he wants to find a cure and fix America, his home. His home is so important to him that he chooses to face flesh-eating monsters and loneliness than to find sanctuary.
End of spoiler
The character played by Will Smith shows that one can sacrifice his/her life for the well being and continuation of their home. But what is home? For Smith, it was America? Does home only encompass someone's country? Or does it include other things of smaller scope?
I feel that the novels we read progressed from a narrow definition of home to home being defined as country and much more. Since our class is almost ending, I think that it is appropriate for me recap how the novels are linked to the theme of home and share my new ideas about home.
In The Namesake, Gogol distances himself from his parents' home because it is a constant reminder of his Indian culture and his name. Taken altogether, by distancing himself from home, he shuns his identity and attempts to create a new one he feels comfortable in. However, as he gains awareness of his Indian American identity, he finds it necessary to return home. Gogol's case shows that one's identity and home are closely knit together. A home allows one to find their true identity and to fully act out his/her identity.
Similarly, the narrator of The Gangster We Are All Looking For finds it necessary to return home, but for different reasons. As a child, the narrator was frequently moving; first from her native country, Vietnam, then from house to house in San Diego.
. In essence, the narrator's sense of home is something instrumental that helps in resolving problems and improving relationships. In either case, both protagonist reveal the necessity of returning home and the difficulty of leaving home forever.
Not only is it difficult for one to leave their home, but it's even more difficult for one to change their sense of home. Both My Country Versus Me and Obasan, novels based on historical events, show the static character of one's sense of home. Despite the accusations of being a Chinese spy, Wen Ho Lee still feels that America is his country and home. Even worse, is the treatment of Japanese Canadians during World War II. Yet, people like Obasan, Naomi, and Aunt Emily still consider Canada to be their home and country. Both of these examples show that one's tie to their home does not change easily. And both of these novels call for minorities to stand up and to take action, whether one form or another, in order to prevent someone or some force from changing their sense of home.
