One reaccuring topic throughout “Netherland,” is assimilation. Though Hans initially arrived in New York against his own desires, he eventually grows very fond of New York (which is evident in his own assimilation process). Although he was not conciously aware of his transformation, he was slowly beginning to embrace the American lifestyle. By applying for his license, even after his family already returned to London, suggests that he unconciously desired to stay in America much longer than he had originally intended to.

This particular scene in the novel accurately portrays immigrants upon arriving in America. Though immigrants are ready to assimilate into American culture, there are still many barriers that bar them from completely assimilating. Many native borns are against the idea of immigrants immigrating (such is the case with the Chinese in the turn of the 20th century). Native borns today are much more open to the idea of immigration, however, some native borns continue to frown upon immigration. Though Hans did not outwardly face discrimination, he still experienced the difficulities of assimiliating into American culture. Applying for his license at the DMV is just one of the many obstacles he will have to overcome before being recoginized as an American.