The two short stories, "The Tenant" by Mukherjee and "The Red Sweater" by Ng bear many similarities as well as differences. The authors of these two stories go about conveying basically the same message, however, with a slight variety. In these short stories, Mukherjee and Ng go into detail of the lives of two young women struggling with their identities as immigrants in the American culture. This clashing of cultures, predominantly the Asian culture (in these cases), against the American culture, is the central idea that one may conclude after reading these two short stories. Mukherjee and Ng both share or differ in the three literary elements of plot, theme, and characters in portraying the consequences of this culture clash.
             Plot is a literary element necessary in any short story, and is one given in "The Tenant". The protagonist of the story is the main and central character, Maya. The story is told in third person and much of the focus is centered on her. The antagonist of the story could also be said to be Maya herself. Exposition is told throughout the story. Bits and pieces of Maya's past relationships, i.e. husband, men, and father, are shown at a glance here and there. However, much is still not known of her past and is still a mystery to the reader. "Fran knows about the divorce, but nothing else" 104. Throughout the story, she constantly battles within herself the life between an American and an Indian. She cannot choose one culture over the other, nor can she successfully clash the two. This is the constant conflict of the story. The climax of the story could be said to have come when the landlord Suminski has asked her to leave the apartment. Although it leads to no resolution it continues the constant idea of Maya remaining a "tenant" in America. Resolution, like said before, is not clear and in ones opinion can be said to not exist in "The Te...