Navigation » List of Schools, Subjects, and Courses » English 101 – Freshman English » Discussions » Discussion–Identity 2 » Discussion–Identity 2 Sample Answers
Discussion–Identity 2
Using the information you have read in Latterell’s “Identity” and in Grealy’s and Dumas’s essays, and your understanding of the assumptions about identity, answer the following questions.
A) Which of Latterell’s assumptions about personal identity do Lucy Grealy and Firoozeh Dumas focus on in their essays?
B) Why do you think Grealy and Dumas each chose to write about their experiences? Explain in your own words.
Discussion–Identity 2 Answer
A) Latterell assumes that personal identity is based on birth, culture, and personal choices. All of these assumptions are the focus of Grealy’s and Dumas’ essays. Dumas, for example, mentioned how her name proved to be a challenge when she moved to the United States. “All of us immigrants knew that moving in to America would be a challenge, but none of us thought that our names would be an obstacle” (78). Her name Firoozeh does not sound American, however, it is a name that connects her to her culture. Her identity as an immigrant is reinforced by her name.