Digging to America summary

The Struggles of Assimilation and Identity

In Digging to America, Anne Tyler takes us on a journey with two families, the Yazdans and the Donaldsons, who meet at the airport when they are both adopting Korean babies. The story revolves around the struggles of assimilation and identity faced by the immigrant Yazdans and the all-American Donaldsons.

From the very beginning, the differences between the families are apparent. The Yazdans are Iranian-Americans, who are more reserved and inclined towards their Iranian heritage. In contrast, the Donaldsons are an extroverted, traditional American family. The arrival of the babies, Jin-Ho for the Donaldsons and Susan for the Yazdans, marks the beginning of a lifelong friendship between the two families.

The Annual Arrival Party Tradition

One of the most significant traditions in Digging to America is the annual arrival party, celebrating the day the babies arrived in America. This event showcases the differences in the families' cultures. The Donaldsons throw a big, loud, and colorful party, while the Yazdans host a more solemn and quiet gathering. The contrast demonstrates the families' attitudes towards their heritage and their struggle with assimilating into American society.

As the years go by, the families continue to celebrate the arrival parties, and we witness the growth and development of the two little girls, who face their own challenges in embracing their Korean heritage while growing up in American society.

Clash of Cultures and Generations

Throughout the novel, we witness the clash of cultures and generations. The older generation, represented by Maryam, Ziba's mother, and Brad's father, Bitsy's father-in-law, struggle to adapt to the American way of life. Maryam, in particular, finds it difficult to assimilate and often feels like an outsider. In contrast, the younger generation, represented by Ziba and Bitsy, are more open to embracing American culture.

As the story progresses, we see Maryam's growing discomfort with the American way of life, and Brad's father's romantic interest in her highlights the generational and cultural differences. This subplot adds depth to the narrative, showing the internal struggles of an immigrant trying to find her place in a new society.

Embracing Differences and Finding Common Ground

Despite their differences, the families in Digging to America find common ground and learn to appreciate each other's cultures. The annual arrival parties become a symbol of their shared experiences as adoptive families and a celebration of their diverse backgrounds.

In the end, the novel highlights the importance of embracing differences and finding common ground. The Yazdans and the Donaldsons may come from different cultural backgrounds, but they share the same love and concern for their children. Their friendship and mutual respect serve as a powerful reminder that, regardless of our origins, we are all more alike than we are different.