Abstract

This study sheds light on the conflict between adherence to Arab traditions and the aspiration to live a freer American life that most Arab American young adults suffer from. The research focuses on two Arab American young adult short stories by Evelyn Shakir’s “Remember Vaughan Monroe” and “Not Like Today” which reflect the tension between tradition and freedom for the young adult protagonists who are obliged by their parents to live an Arab traditional life and who like to live their American life without restrictions. The study concludes that Arab American young adult protagonists get confused at the end of the stories because of their inability to compromise between their Arab traditions and their willingness to live the American freedom they want.

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