Chapters 58-59
Why do you think Neni likes New York better than Cameroon, even though Cameroon would give her children better opportunities?
Because her dreams are in New York—she wants to become a pharmacist. However, she does appreciate that her children will attend a higher-ranked school in Cameroon.
Neni says: “I don’t want to say goodbye. Saying goodbye means it’s real.” What does this quote reflect?
This quote reflects Neni’s grief, denial, and heartbreak. She knows they’re leaving, but avoiding farewells helps her emotionally delay the pain of letting go of her life and dreams in America.
Describe how Clark’s morals change throughout the novel.
He starts as a workaholic prioritizing wealth over family. After Cindy’s death, his focus shifts to becoming a better father and being more present.
How does Jende’s decision to return to Cameroon represent both a failure and a victory?
It’s a failure in that he gives up on the American Dream, but a victory because he regains control over his life, dignity, and future — something he lost while struggling to survive in America.
Is Jende’s loss of hope for the American dream because of Clark firing him?
Partially. Jende had to switch jobs, which physically and mentally impacted him. He began longing for the simpler life he once had in Limbe. Also, witnessing Clark lose his job opened Jende’s eyes to the lies and scandals in America.
Neni says “It felt strange, like being in a faraway cave in a forest in a country she’d never been to. It felt as if she was in a dream about a home that had never been hers.”
Neni feels emotionally disconnected from America — she’s physically there, but it never felt like home because she wasn’t fully accepted or legal.
If Clark had offered immigration lawyer help earlier, would that have changed the ending? Would Jende have stayed?
Yes. At that time, Jende still had hope for the American dream and likely would’ve used that opportunity to stay legally with his family.
Why is Neni’s sense of betrayal deeper than just disappointment about leaving America?
She feels silenced and powerless. The betrayal comes not just from leaving, but from Jende making a life-changing decision without her equal input, despite her sacrifices.
If the Jongas had joined the welcoming church community earlier, would Jende have wanted to stay in America?
Yes. That sense of belonging might have motivated Jende to keep fighting for his citizenship.
Clark says: “I gave her everything. Everything she ever wanted.” what does this reveal about Clarks struggle with Cindys death?
Clark is struggling with guilt and confusion after Cindy’s death. He believes material comfort was enough, missing the emotional support she truly needed.
How do Cindy and Neni’s emotions near the end of the novel relate? How does this connect to their husbands?
Both women are emotionally unfulfilled. Neni’s dreams are lost because Jende decides to return to Limbe. Cindy’s chance at a healthy family was destroyed by Clark’s absence and neglect.
How does Clark’s breakdown after Cindy’s death reflect the collapse of his “American Dream”?
His wealth and status couldn’t save his family. It reveals the emptiness behind his success and how emotional neglect destroyed what truly mattered.
At church, Natasha preaches, “Weary strangers are illegal aliens.” What does this mean, and what message is she trying to convey?
The term “illegal alien” is used to dehumanize immigrants. Natasha is raising awareness and showing that labeling people as "less than" is wrong.
Clark says: “The world doesn’t stop for your pain. You either move with it, or it leaves you behind.” What does this reflect?
This quote reflects Clark’s coping mechanism after Cindy’s death — he buries his grief in work and survival, showing his emotional detachment and how the world he belongs to forces people to keep going no matter what.
Why didn’t Neni want to say goodbye to her friends like Fatou, Bett, Olu, or Winston?
She didn’t want to face the reality of leaving her dreams behind. Avoiding goodbyes was her way of coping with the pain of departure.
In what ways does Behold the Dreamers challenge the myth of the American Dream through the endings of both families?
Both families suffer despite their different class positions. The Jongas leave disillusioned, and the Edwards family falls apart. The novel shows that the Dream, as it’s sold, is unstable, unequal, and often unattainable — especially for immigrants and even for the wealthy.