A plurality of Selves

In an article by Maria Lugones, an immigrant to the United States, she refers to herself as, "a plurality of selves." This applies to the discussion of Twinkle and Sanjeev. The author means that she has different personalities in herself and that she plays one up according to what culture they are in. A common mistake is thinking that yourself or other people are only a part of one culture. Everyone has a culture even if they do not realize it. Twinkle and Sanjeev are both part of the Indian and American culture.
Twinkle is trying to assimilate fully into the American culture, but she is forgetting her Indian cutlure. The most popular religion in the United States is Christianity, and Twinkle states, "Every other person in this neighborhood has a statue of Mary on the lawn. We'll fit right in" (146). Although it seems at some points in the story that Sanjeev is the one that cares more about what people think of him, this shows that Twinkle also cares. I think that Twinkle does not see that she has the ability to keep her Indian culture and still fit in in America. Also, this story comments on the loss of original culture through the generations. "Her parents, who lived in California, and his who still lived in Calcutta..." (142). Sanjeev is more connected with his Indian culture than Twinkle. I think a reason for this is that her parents have been here longer so Twinkle feels more in touch with American culture than Sanjeev.
I think that Sanjeev does a better job than Twinkle of embracing all his cultures. He cooks Indian food and decorates their house, which sounds very "typical American" house, with Indian pictures. It is a different situation balancing Indian and American culture than Hindu and Christian religions. By honoring the statues Sanjeev is not being true to his religion. Just displaying the relics is not "honoring" them, but I think that Twinkle takes it a few steps too far. Sanjeev has different "selves" within himself, part which is Indian and part which is American, I believe that he balances these. While Twinkle has the same 'parts' of Indian and American in her, she puts the American above the Indian. There is nothing wrong with this but I think that it causes some of the conflict between her and Sanjeev becuase there are cultural clashes.