A Place at the Table

Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan illustrate the Hameed family’s resilience as they pursue the American dream. Through this pursuit, the novel reveals how Mrs. Hameed is determined to uplift her family. Her persistence reflects how badly she wants to improve their lives.

The authors also depict the perils of chasing this dream. Faruqi and Shovan underscore the toxic side of pursuit. The Hameed family is struggling financially. This creates tension between Sara’s parents, as well as between Sara and her parents, who do not initially accept Sara’s assistance.

Mrs. Hameed grapples with the challenge of acknowledging her financial struggles. She justifies her decision to take out a loan: “expand the business. Acquire more supplies. Advertise in the paper. That sort of thing” (50). However, the bills surpass her business model’s capacity. Her aspirations seem to falter, and her pursuit of the American Dream appears to lead to disillusionment. The novel shows how the financial strain creates anxiety for all when Sara witnesses a disagreement between her parents: “Apparently, there’s a lot to worry over” (100). As a first-generation American, Sara embodies a new wave of American dreamers. While older generations emphasize the importance of individual success, Sara’s generation underscores the value of collaboration and familial support in pursuing dreams.