To continue on the topic of “paradox” that we discussed in class, I found that these two sections introduced more paradoxes and contradictions. The first section painted the picture of a loyal, close-knit supportive life in the domus. The domus, Orsi explained, was a way for immigrants to feel grounded in a new, unstable society. People were very close and had a strong sense of community and support for one another. The second section of the reading seemed like the “behind the scenes” or “behind closed doors” aspects of the domus. Beneath the domus’ supposedly positive exterior, life inside the domus was far from picture perfect.
The main paradox I found within section two was the idea of authority in the domus. The Italian parents demanded the utmost respect from their children yet Orsi writes that the eldest son often claimed more authority than his father. This makes little sense to me. I feel that this discrepancy over who has power, who should bow down to whom, etc. would provide for much confusion as well as the sending of mixed messages within the domus. Perhaps, because my upbringing was a stark contrast to the “domus” lifestyle (think Gilmore Girls), I just don’t truly understand the mechanics of family life in the domus. Maybe it is not as confusing as it seemed, but I certainly would not want to be the father nor the eldest son in a domus because of the conflict and rivalry that existed among the members of the family.
Orsi’s description of the domus in the second section appeared, at times, cult-like. I was particularly annoyed at the number of times the Italian immigrants spoke badly of America. Orsi quoted them frequently putting down America’s methods of child rearing, education, etc. These people came to America for a reason and their disrespect of our values and methods doesn’t seem right. Many immigrants appeared to feel superior to the “American” way of life. Why are they here, then, if they hate the lifestyle so much? This is not to say that all Italians, or all immigrants, think in this way, but I always find myself tired of foreigners in America putting down the way we live.
