Immigrant stories from writers are a great opportunity for them to connect the “dots” of their lives.
Often, these dotes come in the form of understanding the complexities of the writer’s emotion.
Sharing a Common Language in a World of Cultural Diversity: The Power of Emotion
Immigrant stories written by Sandra Cisneros, Jhumpa Lahiri, Maxine Hong Kingston, and Amy Tan give readers a greater understanding of how immigrants enrich our culture.
Maxine Hong Kingston in the essay, “Silence,” describes her experiences as a Chinese immigrant to America who learns English at a Chinese school.
The writer as a child, felt “shame” that she didn’t have the words to speak English and so she refrained from speaking and kept silent while her parents and teachers put pressure on her to speak.
They didn’t understand that her silence was part of who she was and how she learned.
Why judge her?
While reading these immigrant stories, the reader is able to try and identify with the emotion as an outsider.
What clues does the writer give that shows how s/he feels?
Immigrant writers for example, have a tendency to describe things in the clearest way possible, which often sounds “poetic.”
Maybe it’s because immigrants typically straddle two countries, languages, mentalities, cultures and histories and because of their life experiences acculturating to a new country, they are uniquely placed to tell the stories of their experiences as outsiders.
Put your understanding of the power of emotion of writing into practice
Whether you read stories of the immigrant experience or stories illustrating a life-changing transition, the idea is that through more reading and deeper understanding, you will have a greater understanding of what you have read and this will translate into your future writing and your ability to share a common language — the power of emotion.
Tips – Tell the life story you were destined to tell
The choice of the story you share with your reader can determine the potential emotions.
What is the story you were destined to share with your reader?
Read with a feeling mind
Take a moment to remember a few personal stories that you have heard… stories that have allowed you into someone’s heart.
Think of at least one experience where someone’s story impacted you in a deep way.
What was it about their story that drew you in?
Writing tories about history here.
Dorit Sasson is an author and a storyteller. At the age of 19, she volunteered for the Israel Defense Forces and found her path to freedom. She shares this story in Accidental Soldier: A Memoir of Service and Sacrifice in the Israel Defense Forces. Her second memoir, Sand and Steel, expands the narrative begun in Accidental Soldier.
Learn more about her and her books and writing services at doritsasson.com.
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