A Hope More Powerful Than the Sea by Melissa Fleming - Literary Essay Sample

Introduction

The book A Hope more powerful than the sea by Melissa Fleming explore the challenges which refugees encounter in their attempt to seek for political asylum. The book also explores the reasons behinds the rise in the population of refugees from the Middle East countries. In the book, Mellissa Flemings narrates the life of a Syrian teenager, Doaa Al Zamel who left her country to Egypt and later to Europe to seek for political safety. Zamel was among the group of Syrian citizens who were against the rule of President Bashir Al-Assad, thus making her a target for the government-backed forces (Fleming 24). Therefore, to ensure her safety, she had to leave Syria for other countries which accept victims of political persecution. However, things were simple for Zamel who had to endure a lot before settling down Sweden. She had to give up her dream of pursuing education and engage in small jobs while in an Egyptian refugee camp. For example, she worked in a factory sewing burlap bags. In Egypt life became difficult and their safety was not guaranteed. Together with other refugees, Zamel boarded a smuggler boat to Europe to apply for asylum.

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In their journey to Europe, they were ambushed by pirates who attacked them and destroyed their ship. Several people died in the attack including her romantic partner, Bassem. The experience was traumatic to Zamel, but she held on until a rescue boat came to the aid of remaining survivors. Despite the losses and challenges she encountered in her journey to Europe, Melissa believed that the experience offered Zamel an opportunity to do shape the lives of two toddlers (Fleming 39). She managed to save two children thus enabling them to experience a different life in Europe that their parents wanted.

Given the nature of narration in the book, I believe it succeeded in enlightening the society on the plights of refugees. Fleming relied on information drawn from an individual who had a fast hand experience with challenges that refugees from the Middle East encounter in their struggle to secure political asylum in Europe. Throughout the book, Fleming explores the problems that Zamel and other refugees faced in Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea. The books also motivate society to embrace and support the refugee rather condemn and oppress them. The experiences refugees encounter is traumatizing, and they require our complete support in the process of recovery. The book also explores the culture of refugees and how it impacts their decision to move to the European countries. Zamel came from a society which denies women to pursue education. Therefore, to achieve educational success, she had to ensure to access a stable country which supports women education. As a result, Zamel had to endure all challenges and ensure that she reached a country where she can study and change Syria. Zamel's culture also advocates the need to show empathy, care, and support for the vulnerable in the society. In the book, she exhibited support and empathy for the vulnerable by accepting to help the two toddlers.

Conclusion

The determination and support exhibited by Zamel would contribute to a successful learning process in the classroom. She would indicate higher participation in learning tasks especially those conducted in groups. Zamel also speaks Arabic as her first language, which would impact on her ability to participate in classroom task. Most learning institution in Europe used English as the only language. Therefore, Zamel would have to enhance her English skills. However, to improve participation in the learning process, Zamel would require support and therapy to overcome the trauma of her experience.

Work Cited

Fleming, Melissa. "A Hope More Powerful Than the Sea." Flatiron Book, 2017.