In the story, West of the Jordan, by Laila Halaby, four cousins, Hala, Khadija, Soraya and Mawal all grow up with a identity crisis. They don't know who they are or who to become, due to being constantly ridiculed for being either American or Palestinian. Not only does society accuse them of this but also their own parents and family. They just want to be independent and chose their own lifestyle, however it is difficult for them. If they decided to include their Arabic heritage in them, Americans don't understand their foreign culture. They are looked upon as being "corrupt- by the parents if they incorporate their American heritage with their Arabic culture. .
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 realizes various changes about herself. .
"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). .
The symbolism in this quote is important because Hala as learned to look beyond the surface with mind. In America time passes by too fast to recognize such divines of life.