A Down Home Meal for These Difficult Times Essay Questions

Why does Saba give up space in her suitcase?

Saba gives up space in her suitcase as a demonstration of her generosity towards her relatives. In the story, Saba finds that her suitcases are too heavy to meet the weight requirements of her flight. The relatives argue over who should give up their place and things become heated. Saba settles the matter by saying that since they have all been so kind to her, and shown her so much, she wants them all to have a place in her luggage. As such, she takes out her own belongings to clear enough room. This gesture is supposed to show her immense gratitude for what they have done.

What is the main theme of the story "The Elders?"

Racism is the main theme of "The Elders." The story deals with the racially motivated murder of an Ethiopian man. Members of his community try to decide where he should be buried, in Ethiopia or in Texas. They wrestle with the question of whether or not taking him out of Texas suggests that he did not belong to America. They ultimately decide to bury him in Texas to celebrate his life there and show that will not be driven away by hate.

What role does food play in the title story?

Food is depicted as a source of comfort in the story. Jazarah and Yeshi make recipes from their cookbook in moments of personal and political difficulty, like the desertion of a husband and September 11th. Later, the restaurant they open seeks to give the same comfort to their customers, reminding them of their family dinner tables and school lunches. In this way, food is framed as being an essential comfort, particularly, as the title suggests, in hard times.

How is political oppression portrayed throughout the collection?

Political aggression is highlighted as a constant pressure on everyday life in the collection. In “The Wall,” the narrator is forced to flee Ethiopia because of the Derg. In “Preludes,“ two brothers are haunted by their memories of the terrible violence they saw during this same period of time. Finally, “Kind Stranger” describes how a young man named Gedeyon is arrested and tortured, eventually giving up the name of one of his classmates to be freed. These stories, and others, reveal how pervasive the impact of this dictatorship is on the lives of the characters.

Why does Mekonnen struggle to feel a sense of belonging in "Mekonnen aka Mack aka Huey Freakin' Newton"?

Mekonnen struggles to feel a sense of comfort because he is not sure where he belongs. He experiences racism in his Brooklyn neighborhood from white people. At the same time, he is not sure if he is technically African American or Black. He asks his parents about this but they have no clear answers, as they identify as "Africans in America." He struggles with his sense of identity because he does feel accepted, initially, by either white or Black culture.