It did not occur to any of them that their decision was born of a colossal sense of entitlement, this notion that they could just step away from yesterday and start tomorrow as if it wasn't a part of the same week, to move beyond memory and roots and language and race into the land of the self-made self, which is another way of saying, America.
In "The Golden House," Salman Rushdie explores themes of identity and entitlement through the actions of his characters. They display a profound sense of privilege, believing they can simply leave their past behind and reinvent themselves without any consequences. This refusal to acknowledge their history highlights a critical disconnect in their understanding of personal and cultural identity.
The characters' desire to break free from their origins illustrates the American ideal of self-determination. However, Rushdie critiques this notion by suggesting that real growth requires an acceptance of one's roots, memories, and the complexities of race and language. The struggle between seeking a new identity and recognizing one's past forms a central tension in the narrative.
