The first cousin Hala is “torn between two worlds—in love in Jordan, drawn back to the world she has to come to love in Arizona” (Halaby, back page). It was her mother’s dream to go to learn in United States. Eventually during her High School days she came to United States, to live with her aunt and uncle in Tucson, Arizona. Even though she was Palestinian she was raised with just as much freedom as everyone else. When her mother passes away, she decides to go back to Nawara (the village where her mother was from) to visit her family. There, she rea

“My mother and I look at each other. I know she is mixed between angry and furious. She always wants to do what’s just right and appropriate and doesn’t want anyone talking bad about her” (Halaby 27).

“Each morning I take my time getting dressed, something I never paid much attention to before. I have become self-conscious, not in a pretty/ugly way, just aware of myself and my body. I notice everything, and not just in me. Colors are sharper. All sensations are exaggerated. Food is delicious or vile. Sights are magnificent or hideous. Smells are divine or nauseating. I cannot explain what is happening to me. Sharif is like my brother and is making me see my country in a way I never have” (Halaby 134).

Khadija on the other hand is more suppressed compared to her cousins. “My father is a traditional man, my mother says. That’s why he is so strict and why I’m not allowed to talk to boys...”(Halaby 149). Khadija’s parents are very protective they do not allow her to do what other kids are allowed. When she invited her friend over for dinner her parents approved. However, when her friend invited her for dinner, her mother said no because she doesn’t know her friend’s parents. In addition, she was denied permission to go to a slumber party because her mother said “ you are not going to sleep anywhere outside this family until the day you are married” (Halaby 173). Her friends laughed at her and could not relate to her situation. Khadija is brought up in a very conservative Arabic family, which is why she thinks differently than her American friends.

As it has been presented, culture and heritage play a huge role in the lives of these four characters. Each one has grown up a different lifestyle and therefore lives among various beliefs. In addition, they do things differently to try to fit into their society. Soraya tries to become more American and thus shys away from her Palestinian customs. On the contrary, Khadija must follow the Palestinian traditions bestowed upon her because it is h

Some topics in this essay:
America Khadija, Arizona Palestinian, Middle East, Jordan Mawal, American Palestinian, Hala American, Palestine Hala, Soraya Mawal, Eventually School, Arizona” Halaby, american people, palestinian culture, nawara changes, culture heritage, life cousins, mawal raised, family nawara,