Part 1 (for reference)

Primary source quote: "They were in a city of migrants, a haunted city, and when the wind blew it carried with it the voices of all those who had fallen off buildings, been run over in accidents, or starved to death, and here they were, alive, despite them all." (Hamid, p. 102) In this quote, Hamid uses the city as a metaphor for the migrant experience.

The city is described as haunted, emphasizing the trauma and tragedy that many migrants have experienced. The idea that the wind carries the voices of those who have suffered and died creates a sense of collective memory and loss that permeates the city.

However, despite this haunting history, the characters are still alive and present, representing the resilience and determination of migrants to survive and build new lives for themselves.

This quote also highlights the importance of community and collective memory in the migrant experience, as the voices of those who have fallen are carried alongside those who continue to persevere. Analytical paragraph for secondary source quote: "Hamid portrays the act of migration as a universal human experience, rather than an exceptional one, emphasizing the commonalities that unite us across national, cultural, and economic divides." (The Guardian)

This quote highlights one of the major themes of Exit West, which is the idea that migration is a universal experience that transcends national and cultural boundaries. By portraying migration as a fundamental part of human history, Hamid challenges the notion that migrants are somehow different or exceptional. Instead, he emphasizes the commonalities that unite us as human beings, including our desires for love, security, and self-expression. This approach allows readers to empathize with the struggles of migrants and see their experiences as part of a larger human story.

It also challenges the negative stereotypes and prejudices that often surround the issue of migration, emphasizing the humanity and dignity of all people, regardless of their background or country of origin. Overall, this quote highlights the importance of empathy and understanding in addressing the complex issues surrounding migration, and the power of literature to facilitate this understanding.

Part 2: Each posting should consist of at least 1 primary source (Exit West) quote and 1 secondary source quote about Exit West or Hamid or one of the over-arching themes of the novel (Migration, Identity, Race, Social Class, Magical Realism, etc.) followed by at 1 explanatory paragraph for the primary and 1 analytical paragraph for the secondary quote.