Part 1 (for reference)

Primary Source Quote:

Explanation:

"We are all migrants through time." (Hamid, p. 209) In this quote, Hamid suggests that migration is a universal experience, not just limited to those who physically move from one place to another.

The idea that everyone is a migrant through time emphasizes the shared nature of human experience, as people all undergo changes and transitions throughout their lives. By broadening the concept of migration to include both physical and temporal movement, Hamid invites readers to relate to the characters and their experiences on a deeper level, fostering empathy and understanding.

Secondary source quote:

Explanation:

"Exit West is ultimately a novel about the inevitability of change and the indomitability of the human spirit in the face of adversity." (The New York Times)

This quote from The New York Times emphasizes the resilience of the human spirit, a key theme in Exit West. As the characters face various challenges and obstacles throughout their journey, the novel illustrates the strength and adaptability of human beings in the face of adversity.

The analytical paragraph for the secondary quote:

Explanation:

In Exit West, Hamid explores the resilience and adaptability of human beings, as well as the inevitability of change. As the characters confront loss, trauma, and the challenges of migration, they demonstrate a remarkable ability to endure and adapt to their new circumstances. This theme serves as a powerful reminder of the human capacity for resilience and the potential to overcome adversity, regardless of the specific challenges faced. By highlighting these qualities, Hamid encourages readers to see migrants not as helpless victims, but as individuals with the strength and determination to forge new lives for themselves. Ultimately, this perspective challenges stereotypes and fosters a more compassionate and empathetic understanding of the migrant experience.

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.