Family and Work Dynamics
His loyalty to this person—his wife—reveals his deep commitment to family, though their differing dreams sometimes strain their marriage.
Who is Neni Jonga?
Jende's fear of not obtaining his green card, being sent back to Cameroon, and subsequently losing his version of the "American dream"
What is the immigration system?
Honest, hardworking nature and loyalty toward his family back in Cameroon and his employers.
What is Jende's surface-level character?
Jende's switch from a professional attitude to being attentive to the Clark family's emotional issues.
What is Jende's good nature, and his ability to relate his drastically different life compared to those with a higher status, and his ability to breach the reality gap between the rich and the poor, not treating them like idols, and with his ignorance, he can give his honest opinion on their issues?
Even after arriving in America, Jende faces this invisible barrier that keeps many immigrants from achieving success.
What is social inequality?
Two fathers from different viewpoints relating to the hardship of parenthood, as well as being a human.
Mr. Clark and Jende's relationship?
Jende’s caution around Clark Edwards reflects his fear of losing this source of stability that allows him to dream of a better life.
What is Jende's fear of unemployment/ disrupting class barriers?
Jende is sending money to his wife's parents, ex, as well as paying the bride price, and also sending money to his brother, Tenga, to help his children get an education.
What is Jende's selflessness?
Though he believes deeply in the American Dream, this crushing shift in circumstances forces Jende to question his identity, values, and the very dream he once held sacred.
What is the collapse of Lehman Brothers/the financial crisis?
This government process becomes the silent antagonist of Jende’s hopes, its denials and delays pushing his family to a breaking point.
What is an asylum application?
Jende's what one would call a husk of conversation with the sad, druggy socialite of the Clark family.
What are Jende's and Miss Edward's interactions ?
The risk of moving back to Cameroon, losing all the hard work, money, and education that could've propelled Jende and his family into prosperity.
What is the loss of freedom?
Jende often struggles with this internal conflict, balancing honesty and integrity against the need to survive in a harsh society.
Answer: What is the tension between morality and practicality?
Jende takes a job as a chauffeur for the Edwards family, even though it is far below his education level, showing this trait about him.
What is humility or adaptability?
Despite his hard work as a chauffeur, Jende discovers that these unspoken societal divisions limit his upward mobility.
What is class hierarchy?
Jende's faux paternal relationship with Vince. Vince can express his feelings, explain his decision, and seek advice on how to approach his real family from Jende.
What is the father-son dynamic between Vince and Jende?
The upcoming expiration of his work visa, inability to obtain refugee status, and his immigration lawyer gives false truths to hang on to. Everything Jende does is overshadowed by knowledge of his temporary status in the boundless country
What is Jende living in limbo?
Jende's ever-shifting roles in his professional life, as he transitions from an obedient, meek, and innocent chauffeur to almost a looking glass into the Clarks' relationship, neglecting his own vulnerability, in the conversation he has with Mr. Clark, recognizing his place in society
What is the difference between professional demeanor and social consciousness or awareness of class?
Jende decides to help Clark Edwards with a personal secret, even knowing it could put him at risk, demonstrating this aspect of his character.
What is loyalty or trustworthiness?
This major 2008 event exposes the fragility of Jende’s American Dream, showing how society’s economic forces can unintentionally affect him and his family
What is the financial crisis / Lehman Brothers collapse?
A person who jende pours his hopes and dreams into, moving to America not only to benefit his life but their. Believing that if he starts the foundation, this person can one day be like Mr Clark, what Jende assumes on top of the world.
Who is Liomi?
Liomi growing up and not placing education first, nor continuing the strong work ethic that his father taught him. Giving up on his parents' plan
What is total failure?
Jende's momentarily expressed bouts of rage persist as the underlying weight of being an immigrant surrounding him.
What is Jende flips his usual sweet, loving character to a harsher, dominating, when stressed or provoked?
When Jende considers breaking rules to protect his family, creating an inner conflict between his sense of morality vs remaining in the competitive, degrading American system
What is the tension between Jendes' moral compass and his dream to succeed?
Jende succumbs to the societal pressure as an immigrant and begins to doubt his ____ for better life.
What is hope?