Chapter 4
Contains spoilers
Summary
- Yara encounters two full-time instructors, Amanda and Michelle, as she's leaving her office.
- Amanda, who has bright yellow hair and dull blue eyes, makes a comment about Yara leaving early to pick up her daughters.
- Michelle, who teaches visual communication, questions how Yara completes her work so early, which Yara attributes to determination.
- Amanda somewhat patronizingly asks Yara if being a good mother is a cultural thing, hinting at stereotypes about Yara's Arab background.
- Yara resents the assumption but tries to redirect the conversation, as she often avoids discussing her background to prevent judgment or stereotypes.
- Michelle shifts the topic to a Global Scholars Program Scandinavian Cruise and reads the email about it aloud, capturing Yara's interest.
- Yara remembers her own limited travel experience and wonders what her husband Fadi would think about the opportunity.
- Amanda talks about her past visit to Norway and expresses surprise at Yara's lack of travel experience, which Yara admits to dreaming about.
- Yara expresses her desire to see "The Scream" by Edvard Munch in Oslo, a subject she's discussed in class.
- Michelle encourages Yara to apply for the trip, and the conversation turns to who would watch their children while they're gone.
- Amanda calls Yara sexist for asking who will watch Michelle's kids, while Michelle mentions her support network.
- Yara feels uncomfortable with Amanda's judgment and the topic of family responsibilities.
- Amanda leaves, hinting at competition for the cruise, and Michelle follows.
- Yara reflects on the challenge of satisfying cultural expectations, her desire to do more, and the stereotypes others may hold about her.
- She resists confronting Amanda, fearing it would only reinforce stereotypes or make her an object of pity.
- Yara contemplates identity and privilege as accidents of birth and the lack of empathy people may have regarding this.
- In the parking lot, Yara dwells on the role of chance in life and feels determined to create her own destiny.