Coming from a traditional Bengali family in Calcutta, Subhash has trouble feeling like he belongs in Providence, Rhode Island. At first, he is just a PhD student, but the longer he stays and realizes that he will probably never return home to India, he struggles with the cultural differences. One main difference is that of dating and marriage. Subhash has always assumed that he would have an arranged marriage where he and his wife would live under his parents’ roof. Subhash dates Holly and knows that the relationship is not bound to last, as he has a duty back home. Still, he struggles when she breaks up with him, not wanting to be a part of either culture. It is not until he is in his old age that he feels more comfortable with the life he has made for himself in the United States.

Gauri never feels comfortable in Providence, even when she returns in her 60s. During her first few months in Providence, she attends a dinner party with other Indian woman and doesn’t want to be a part of the culture. She quickly becomes self-conscious in her saris when she is walking around campus and suddenly buys new clothes, cuts up her saris, and chops her hair off.