Dusk over Atlantic Warf.

1: Summary.

Lata and Anuj is married and lives in Cardiff. Both of them are from India. Anuj has lived there for six years and Lata has been in England for 4 months. She looks out the window and think about its neighbors. She is afraid to talk to them. At the beginning of the text, they discuss what to do tonight. They were on their way to Atlantic Wharf theater and watch a Bollywood movie. Lata is fascinated by the movie because it's about India, and she misses her home so much. After the film, she is sad and crying. Anuj is overwhelmed and ask her if she's okay. She said that she is fine and wants to go home. She needs to accept his new way of life.

2: Characterization of Lata and her relationship with Anuj.

When one faces an unfamiliar culture, one may become unconscious about one’s appearance and future life. The description above somehow indicates what Lata is going through when facing her new existence; “She walked to the window. The sky loomed large and grey over the chimney tops and television aerials. Lata missed the drama of colours played out in the sky. She observed it had been the same dull grey throughout the day. Just like the bed sheets back home - after they had come back from dhobi”.

From this quote, one gets the impression that the Welsh weather acts like some kind of metaphor.
Thus, it gives the reader an insight in Lata´s feelings and uncertainness about her new life. She is neither used to being a Welsh wife, nor is she enjoying her new existence. The weather definitely symbolizes Lata´s inner feelings; the grey colour tells that she does not find Welsh culture (and geography) appealing. She simply yearns for her former lifestyle in India. However; Lata´s culture;
“In the darkened theatre, Anuj finished most of the popcorn. He thought the music was too loud, but the action was up to Hollywood standard. Lata stared greedily at the screen, her eyes devouring the background images of her home-town”.

This quote somehow implies the different perceptions which the couple have; Lata is clearly engaged when it concerns the background of the film; her home-town in India. Anuj is,on the other hand, focused on the Hollywood standard of the film; in this way, the author might obtain a clear separation of the couple’s differences and values.

Their visit at the cinema primary shows their meeting with Welsh society; “No, no, I´m fine. I´m all exited. I´m al-right. They looked at each other and laughed nervously”. One certainly gets the feeling that the situation is tensed as both of our principal characters react nervously. Lata´s unconsciousness about her new existence is also reflected by her meeting with Welsh girls of the same age; “A gaggle of teenage girls stood outside the nightclub. they wore tiny leather skirts and thank tops. Lata looked down at her blue silk sari and black overcoat. She felt like an old woman”.

From this quote, it becomes quite clear that Lata is also concerned about her relationship with Anuj.
She is aware that she might represent a dull image of the female gender compared to the welsh girls who represent a western female ideal.
3: Comment on the ending.

“Lata sat in the car and burst into tears. Soon, black rivers streamed down her cheeks. She shook as she wept, and Anuj sat there. he looked away into the distance, to the steady flicker of neon lights coming from Bay. You al-right? He asked quietly. She patted his hand and replied; “Yeah, I´m all-right. Lets go home”.

The quote above holds the ending of the story. From the quote, it is immensely clear that Lata finally realizes that Cardiff is her new home. The black rivers which stream down her cheeks act like a metaphor which shows that she has finally given in to her feelings towards her new life.

Anuj comes across quite patient as he provides her with space. He must be quite aware of her feelings and knows that she needs an outlet for her feelings. Lata is now ready to live together with Anuf in Cardiff despite the fact that she is not keen on the idea.

4: Discussion: How do immigrants may overcome integration problems.

Immigration has always occurred on a global basis through history.
Thus; mankind has always moved from one place to another.

Nowadays; big cities in Europe, for instance; London and Dublin have become multicultural societies where Pakistanis, Muslims and Christians live together side by side.

However; this does not necessarily make integration easier. One might state the fact that integration is not only a personal matter, but it also depends on political ideology.

In Britain, which is a quite open country, there are still considerable issues concerning immigrants. For instance; British Muslims are still facing misfortune when it concerns their right to establish mosques in British towns.

Religion is hereby a factor which complicates integration. A lot of immigrant tries to overcome integration problems by becoming role models or spokespersons in several ways.

In Denmark there are now more immigrants who obtain a political profile; including Naser Khader and Azmar Abdol. Though immigrants have more visible profiles, successful integration without any problems seems a little distant as there still are a lot of things to discuss.