Topic

Sarfraz Manzoor’s “Second Generasians” focuses on two main topics: Sarfraz Manzoor’s experience as a second-generation Asian immigrant and the differences between three generations of Asian immigrants in Brita…

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Sarfraz Manzoor’s experience as a second-generation Asian immigrant

Manzoor tells his personal story of growing up as a second-generation Asian immigrant in Britain. Through his story, he aims to highlight the unique experience of his generation. He focuses on how the British and Asian influences shaped their lives.

First, readers learn that, at the age of three, in 1974, the writer and his family joined his father in Britain (pp. 136, ll. 46-1). The writer grew up in a working-class family, which was typical for Asian immigrant families; his parents were focused on practical spending, therefore they did not go on vacations (p. 136, ll. 10-17).

For Manzoor’s parents, their son's academic achievement was very important and a reassurance that their decisions as parents were …

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The differences between three generations of Asian immigrants in Britain

Throughout the article, Manzoor speaks about three generations of Asian immigrants in Britain. Note that, for the most part of the article, the writer does not directly compare these three generations. Instead, he describes their experiences so that readers can draw their own conclusions.

For example, he states the following: “When you are a first-generation immigrant, it is very clear what ‘home’ is. It is the country where you were born, raised and educated.” (p. 137, ll. 17-20). This suggests that the first generation of immigrants could never truly feel that Britain was their home. However, the second generation woul…

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Argumentation

Manzoor’s article is characterized by a mix of direct and indirect argumentation. The writer aims to highlight the differences between three generations of Asian immigrants in Britain but does not, for the most part of the article, compare them directly. As readers learn details about Manzoor’s life and his father’s life, they also learn about their generations and can draw their own conclusions about them. Other times, the writer explains his ideas in a straightforward manner using direct argumentation.

The writer explains why his father came to Britain using direct argumentation: “he came seeking to offer his family a better life than we might have had if we had remained in Pakistan.” (p. 136, ll. 11-14). At the same time, it is directly stated that his father viewed Pakistan as his real home: “When you are a first-generation immigrant, it is very clear what ‘home’ is. It is the country where you were born, raised and educated.” (p. 136, ll. 17-20).

The statement above comes in contrast with the writer’s …