Topic > The theme of emigration of the four main characters in Hope and Other Dangerous Activities, a novel by Laila Lalami

Hope and Other Dangerous Activities was Laila Lalami's first novel. The book was first published in 2005. The plot of the book takes into account emigration as a central theme. The author discusses the migration of the four main characters; Faten, Aziz, Murad and Halima. The events take place between Spain and Morocco. The book gives a broader perspective to the element of illegal migration between Africa and America. In an attempt to clarify the entire phenomenon of migration, Laila creates a documentary on the lives of the characters before the transfer and after emigration. This helps establish the factors contributing to the act and subsequent fate of migration. In this discussion, a comparison between two of the four main characters will be examined. The analysis will help to clarify what the author says about the emigration of the characters. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Emigration is driven by the need for financial stability. As evident among the characters, their poor economic status is the main factor that drives them to migrate from Morocco to Spain. Faten, for example, is expelled from school for influencing Noura, Larbi Amrani's daughter, to join the Muslim religion. Faten has no academic credentials and cannot secure any job in Morocco. He decides to board the raft for Spain with the hope of securing a job and establishing himself financially. Likewise, Aziz Amor feels the need to provide for his young family. However, Casablanca stands out for being full of poverty, unemployment and economic depression. As he boards the raft to Spain, Aziz has high hopes of getting a well-paying job to develop his family. For these, among other characters, emigration turns out to be the only hope for a better life (Lalami 2005 p. 56-78). The author considers the act of emigration as vulnerable towards migrants. Most emigrants undertake illegal immigration in an attempt to reduce costs. This involves them in risky situations. Aziz Amor and Faten, among other characters, get on a raft to face the long journey of about fourteen kilometers. Using a float in deep water is risky because it can easily capsize. These characters are also forced to jump off the raft and swim the rest of the journey to the shore, risking drowning. The two characters engage in bad episodes to complete their mission. Fortunately, they are not caught by the Spanish Civil Guardian, who could have deported them to Morocco (Lalami 2005 p. 80-122). Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now.Get a custom essayThe success of your emigration mission all depends on luck. The likelihood that emigrants will achieve their goals in the states to which they emigrate is unpredictable. Laila disapproves of migrants' perception of establishing a better life in their new nationalities. Faten's hope for a better life turns into a dangerous pursuit when she falls into prostitution as her only source of livelihood in Spain. She lacks credentials and is unable to secure a good job in Spain. Faten ends up living a hopeless life, worse than his life in Morocco. All of his clients give Faten empty promises of a better life. Aziz Amor's first attempt to immigrate to Spain is completely in vain. He is deported to Morocco. His second attempt is successful and Aziz settles in.