Deo's persistence in seeking out an education and bettering himself versus mourning of the absence of his family and the destruction that had taking place back home had greatly compelled me to this novel. Deo had his moments where memories broke him down. However, he never once gave up on his dreams of going to medical school and doing what he loved the most. Persistence for his love in education motivated Deo to work hard to achieve what he wanted in life rather than accepting failure.
Considering his experiences of schooling while he was younger, school was absolutely necessary for children. It was a long way to get there, "School lay three long descents and three step climbs away" (81). However, Deo went through the distance just to be educated. Schooling was enforced by his parents because according to his mother, "...no one is ever going to tell me that I didn't go to school. If my child went, I am educated, because I have an educated child." (83) Therefore, education was valued tremendously. One can guess that his drive for motivation started as he was younger.
Deo showed love for education even at the start of his journey in New York. Even though it was crucial that he learned English, he spent a lot of his free times just looking through books in bookstores, fancying the idea that he could read them. For work's sake and to get by in America, he saved up his measly wages to purchase an English-French dictionary to learn the native language. In addition, the fact that he had gone back to school even though he had already gotten to his junior year back in his country is truly inspiring. No matter the hardships he had to go through, the troubles of getting his green card for permanent residency or going through the process of taking placement tests to get into Columbia, Deo made it through with the act of persistence.
Without the assistance of Sharon's, "...undifferentiated help to anybody," Deo probably would have never gotten to accomplish his dreams (174). Sharon's kindness never failed. From the moment they entered the rectory where she had first met Deo as a grocery bag handler, she saw something in him as, "...someone who could see beyond his nose." (175) She knew that he needed help, and she provided anything she could to help him survive in New York. Based on her past experiences, she has helped anybody that came along her way. In addition, considering her background as a nun, she believed and lived by the basic instruction of St. Benedict, "Recieve all as Christ." (173) Thus, no matter the troubles of a person, she dedicated herself whole heartedly to helping others. Sharon assisted Deo in finding a home, bettering his English skills, and opening his mind for more experience in New York.
Finally, the collaboration of both Nancy and Charlie completed the circuit of Deo's journey to a life of education. They decided to fund his education and get him into Hunter College, then Columbia University so that he could accomplish his dreams. They have been both aware of what has been going on in Africa, therefore took a chance in assisting someone in need. (168) Their learned knowledge motivated them to help Deo because they know the hardships he probably went through to be in a foreign country all by himself, therefore took him in with kindness.
Therefore, the motivation individuals have to kindness/generosity rather than violence/destruction is past experiences. One can see the struggles an individual has faced in life and therefore seeks to assist them or the struggler takes initiative and persistence to help themselves. Without past experience or knowledge, people may act differently in certain situations.
So many ideas have popped into my mind while writing this so I'm not even sure if any of this makes sense! -___- Sorry
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