Ask Me No Questions

“‘I have to look a certain way,’ she keeps muttering. ‘I’m there for your father. I show up in court. I have to look a certain way.’”

Dialogue reveals Ma’s inner turmoil and the weight of her responsibilities. The repetition of the phrase “I have to look a certain way” stresses the pressures placed upon her as she supports her husband’s immigration case; she feels she must assimilate into American culture to convince the judge of her husband’s worth. As that culture is implicitly white, Christian, etc., the passage explores the prejudices many immigrants face in establishing their right to live in the US.

“You’re only little, but you know it’s there: that feeling that you never know what terror will pulse from the ground.”

Budhos employs imagery and foreshadowing to create a sense of fear and unpredictability. The image of “terror pulsing from the ground” paints a picture of an ever-present, dynamic threat. This figurative portrayal of Nadira’s fear epitomizes the novel’s broader depiction of being an undocumented immigrant and establishes a foreboding tone, engaging the reader’s curiosity about what specific challenges lie ahead.

“I wish I could be like Aisha and just focus. Or Taslima, talking back. But that’s not me. […] Sometimes I wish I could lift out myself and do something that really counts.”

Nadira’s statement reveals her internal conflict and desire for transformation. Her first-person narration gives readers direct access to her feelings of inadequacy as compared to her more assertive or focused peers. This expression of her desire to change sets the stage for possible developments in her character arc, indicating that she might evolve to become more assertive or impactful in ways that she admires in others.

“Borders! he yells. ‘What do you know of borders! Do you know what happened to my grandmother when she fled West Bengal? They murdered her!”

The author employs exclamation points and rhetorical questions to magnify Uncle’s anger and frustration. The reference to the Uncle’s grandmother’s murder after fleeing West Bengal is a historical allusion to the partition of India, linking the character’s personal narrative to historical trauma and hardship. The dialogue characterizes Uncle as someone deeply connected to his heritage, illuminating his skepticism about Abba’s decision to seek asylum in Canada.

“When we came to America, though, we didn’t know what the right thing was. Here we lived with no map. We became invisible, the people who swam in between other people’s lives, bussing dishes, delivering groceries. What was wrong?”

In this passage, Budhos uses metaphor to convey Nadira’s sense of disorientation in the US. The imagery of becoming “invisible” and navigating others’ lives suggests both the marginalization of immigrants and their often-overlooked contributions. The rhetorical question “What was wrong?” encourages readers to reflect on the systemic challenges and societal dynamics that contribute to immigrants’ feelings of displacement and invisibility as they struggle for belonging and recognition in a new country.

“His [immigration officer] words hang in the air, vibrating like an electric wave. We know what they mean. You’re illegal, and we can push this further. Don’t make a fuss. We hold the cards.”

The description of the immigration officer’s words as “vibrating like an electric wave” captures their chilling effect, signaling the looming threat the officer represents and the inherent power imbalance between him and the family. The phrase “We know what they mean” reveals the family’s heightened awareness of the precariousness of their status, reflecting the theme of The Impact of Immigration Policies on Families. This scene illustrates how the enforcement of these policies can intimidate and destabilize immigrant families, contributing to the novel’s broader exploration of immigration policies’ personal and emotional toll.

“There’s plenty of room, Nadira. You just have to learn how to grab it.”

Aisha’s encouragement to Nadira foreshadows Nadira’s character arc. By urging Nadira to take initiative and assert herself, Aisha sets the stage for Nadira’s transition from a passive to a proactive individual. This dialogue hints at Nadira’s upcoming journey of self-discovery and empowerment, during which she learns to confront and surmount obstacles with newfound confidence and determination to claim her own space.

“It’s weird. Now it’s me who feels older than Aisha and is worried about her. Now that I’ve helped Lily, it’s as if I want to protect everyone: Auntie from Uncle and the bad news about his possible deportation, Uncle from himself, and Aisha from taking everything so hard.”

Nadira’s growing protectiveness of her family, particularly Aisha, underscores both the family’s struggle due to immigration policies as well as The Resilience and Adaptability of Young Immigrants. Nadira’s assumption of new responsibilities suggests that immigrant families must often adjust their roles and dynamics in response to external pressures. Nadira’s concern for her family members, each of whom is grappling with their own set of challenges, reflects the novel’s focus on the emotional and practical impacts that immigration policies have on family bonds and individual roles within the family unit.

“Barnard doesn’t look anything like the college campuses in the brochures.”

This line comments on the gap between the idealized American Dream and the more complicated truth. Nadira’s realization encapsulates the disillusionment of learning that the glossy, promising images presented in brochures (part of a broader narrative about America) clash with the more complex and sometimes disappointing reality.

“But for the first time I start to actually imagine me sitting on concrete steps like this, or in a class reading lots of fat books and saying what I think.”

This moment, in which Nadira imagines herself as an assertive college student, marks a step in her character development. Her visualization of being more confident and self-engaging in activities outside her comfort zone reveals her growing self-awareness and desire for change. This shift in mindset, captured through detailed imagery, underpins her journey towards self-empowerment and personal growth.

“I hear Mrs. Robble say, ‘You know, I’ve seen this happen before with the Muslim kids. I push those girls—they’re so bright. Then one day they come in with a head scarf, and they say their marriage has been arranged and they’re not going to college after all.’”

Mrs. Robble’s comments about Muslim students reflects the novel’s interest in Islamophobia and stereotyping. Her generalized statement about Muslim girls, which links the wearing of a headscarf to the abandonment of academic pursuits in favor of arranged marriages, showcases a simplistic and prejudiced view of Muslim cultural practices.

“Nadira, I’ve always been like these guys out here, running. You know me. I’ll run in any weather. You give me a test, I’ll do ten times better than you expect. I’ll do anything.”

Aisha’s assertion of determination and resilience furthers her characterization, revealing her perseverance and self-reliance. The metaphor of running illustrates her approach to life’s challenges; it showcases her personal strength and encapsulates the broader immigrant experience, characterized by the constant struggle for stability and success in a new environment.

“Strong lungs, they would say of Abba. Strong lungs give him staying power. He’s the one who always lasts.”

The phrase “strong lungs give him staying power” metaphorically links Abba’s physical vitality to his enduring strength in facing life’s challenges—particularly those related to the family’s immigration struggles. By characterizing Abba as “the one who always lasts,” the author creates a sense of hope and fortitude, emphasizing his role as a pillar in the family’s journey and highlighting the theme of The Resilience and Adaptability of Young Immigrants.

“I wander toward the living room, where a boy about my age is sitting cross-legged in front of the TV watching The Simpsons. He’s a little chubby, and every now and then he lets out a laugh and the folds on his stomach jiggle and shake.”

The boy reminds Nadira of herself and invokes a longing for simpler times. The description of the boy as about her age and “a little chubby” mirrors Nadira’s self-perception, establishing a connection between them and evoking a sense of nostalgia and self-reflection. This moment serves as a reminder of a less complicated past, contrasting sharply with the present complexities and burdens she faces.

“Suddenly I can feel it, his words of patience telling me to choose right, even when the storms come.”

By characterizing Abba’s words as imparting patience and wisdom, the author imbues them with a nurturing and protective quality, suggesting that they strengthen Nadira as she makes a potentially risky decision. The storm metaphor underlines the idea that Abba’s wisdom provides stability during challenging times, reinforcing the importance of familial support and morality in the face of adversity.

“Maybe he’s an FBI agent sent by those guys from the other night. Maybe Tareq got some guy to head me off.”

Nadira’s inner monologue illustrates her heightened paranoia—a direct consequence of the stressful situation she faces as an undocumented immigrant. Her immediate leap to assume the worst of a seemingly ordinary situation implies that she is constantly alert. She is suspicious and fearful, showcasing the impact of her family’s immigration status on her psychological state.

“Abba always says that Americans don’t know how to be family. It’s like this country, he explains; so many long distances between them.”

This metaphor reveals Abba’s perspective on American family dynamics. He compares the emotional detachment and physical separation of American families to the vastness of the country. This comments on the challenges of maintaining close-knit family bonds in a society that prioritizes individualism and geographic mobility.

“I want to tell them more than just that I have proof that Abba was just putting money away for our tuition. I want to tell them that Abba’s favorite show is the Simpsons and that he loves Tagore. I want to say that sometimes you can’t know who a person is.”

Nadira’s desire to reveal personal details about Abba demonstrates the novel’s use of characterization to humanize and add depth to Abba, moving beyond legal narratives about undocumented immigrants. This moment also evidences irony; despite possessing tangible proof of her father’s intentions, Nadira understands that the true essence of a person cannot be materially demonstrated. The line “sometimes you can’t know who a person is” underscores the complexity of human identity, challenging the simplistic views upheld by institutions like the legal system.

“I can stand it even when Abba is sitting here, crushed and weak, looking like a father I never knew. But I know. I also know who I am, and they must look at our papers and see who we are too.”

Dramatic irony highlights the contrast between Abba’s outward appearance and his inner strength. Though Abba seems “crushed and weak” to those at the hearing, the inner resolve and self-awareness that readers have witnessed remain intact. Nadira is ready to speak up and share their identity.

“I didn’t save Abba. Or maybe I did, in a small way. I made them stop and see me—see us. Take a second look. Ma sat beside me in her proud purple coat, and I spoke.”

Nadira’s reflection on her actions showcases her newfound agency and the subject of visibility. Her statement, “I made them stop and see me—see us,” marks a significant shift from passivity to assertiveness, symbolizing her empowerment and demand for recognition. This moment of speaking out underlines the immigrants’ struggle for dignity in the face of systemic marginalization.

“Wearing the right clothes. Blending in. But sometimes…sometimes you have to tell them who you are. What you really think. You have to make them see us.”

The passage contrasts assimilation and self-expression, emphasizing the importance of revealing one’s true identity and thoughts despite pressure to conform. This tension reflects the broader immigrant experience of balancing integration with preserving cultural heritage. The call to “make them see us” advocates for society to recognize both the presence and humanity of undocumented immigrants.

“My name is Aisha Hossain. And I am an illegal alien.”

Aisha’s forthright declaration reveals both her personal and legal identity and symbolizes her embrace of the truth despite the societal stigma attached to it. The use of the term “illegal alien,” often laden with negative connotations, highlights the challenges and prejudices undocumented immigrants face. Aisha’s use of this label is an act of defiance. It’s a moment of self-acceptance and empowerment that comments on the broader issue of immigrant identity in a legal and cultural context.

“Last night I dreamed we were swimming inside a map. On one side the river flowed to the border of Canada, a skinny blue-green line wriggling into the distance. On the other side the courthouse floated, an underwater dungeon of hazy stone glinting with jeweled windows. We shut our eyes, not sure which way to go. […] We pushed ahead, heads bowed, blindly groping forward.”

The dream of swimming inside a map metaphorically represents the family’s journey through uncertain circumstances. The imagery of a river leading to Canada juxtaposed with the courthouse as an “underwater dungeon” vividly contrasts symbols of freedom and confinement. The description “We pushed ahead, heads bowed, blindly groping forward” underscores the family’s perseverance in the face of uncertainty.