Neni experiences sadness for the first time in America because she imagines that all that she has gained will be taken away from her. The Jongas become so desperate to realize their American Dream, particularly their wish for Liomi to become American, that they are willing to stake all that they’ve saved in Bubakar’s ability to help them. Like many parents, they want to protect Liomi from hardship, but it also seems that they want him to know no other life than that as an American.