Topic > The Legacy of Loss: The Influence of Western Culture on Indians by Kiran Desai

Firstly, the appreciation of Western culture and lifestyle is one of the main themes of the book. As we know, this book represents postcolonialism; shows the effects of colonialism throughout this book. After colonialism, many Indians migrated to Western countries simply because they were fascinated by other countries. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essayMost Indians are attracted by the desire for wealth that they believe Western countries could bring. For example Biju, who lives illegally in the United States to improve his life. For them, living in a Western country is a huge success. Biju's father, who is a drunken cook, is very proud of his son living in the United States. After his son gets a job in New York, the cook brags about it to everyone. My son works in New York [...] New York. Very large city, the cars and buildings are nothing like the ones here. There is enough food for everyone in that country. And each of them reacts positively to Biju's success and begins to love the United States. People like Jemubhai who studied in a Western country and who are rich, unconsciously lead other people to go to Western countries to become rich. And this vision of wealth slowly rubs off on children too. They grow up with the same values ​​and thoughts as their parents. On top of that, there are family expectations that push each individual to leave their country. In Biju's case, he is his father's only son. His mother had died when he was little. His father who is a cook - he only has enough money to feed himself and who has a liquor business to earn extra money - has a desire for modernity. The modernity that only the rich could afford. He, however, is so poor that he cannot afford to keep money in the house for fear of mice. The cook's poverty makes him dream of wealth even more. Colonization divided India into two different classes: poverty and privilege. The cook's poverty only brings him humiliation as he is treated without respect by privileged people. For example, Lola, who represents privilege in this novel, thinks that the poor, who are always involved in crime, cannot be trusted, which leads her to disrespect them. As a result of these behaviors, people like the cook believe they can feel proud. only if they are rich. For example, the cook lies to Sai about his grandfather. They sent him to England and ten thousand people greeted him at the station. He ran over an elephant! You see, he had won a scholarship from the Maharajah. The cook's lies demonstrate how he imagines treating a rich person. Like most people in India, his father's expectations led Biju to move to the United States, although Biju also desired to be rich. In chapter four, Desai shows us how Western countries are superior to India according to Indians. For example, the author mentions the characters belief in India and was sure that since his son cooked English food, he would have a higher position than if he cooked Indian. This means that everything Western is better than everything Indian. Even the cook, who represents the Indians, thinks that serving a white man is better than serving an Indian. That's why he is disappointed to work for Jemubhai. The author also shows how Indians are obsessed with the desire to leave. However, there is also always this conflict between poverty and privilege. People who are already wealthy enough to travel can only get a visa. With its consequences,.