House of Sand and Fog by Andre Dubus III portrays the life of a fifty six year old Iranian man working at the bottom rung of American society. This novel shows that immigrants and Americans cannot engage in a collaborative relationship. The systematic oppression which makes them blind enemies, differences in culture that influences interactions, prejudice and competition all together are the reasons why that is true. The mandatory systematic oppression which is present throughout the whole novel makes the main characters of the story [Massoud and Kathy] enemies. “Of course all the best aerocompanies are here in California but four years I have spent hundreds of dollars copying my credentials, worn my French suites and my Italian shoes to hand deliver my qualifications; I have waited and called back after the correct waiting time; but there is nothing.” (Massoud Massoud, p. 54) This quote can be used to prove that even though Massoud is qualified for the position that he had experience in, the American offices keep rejecting his application because of the systematic oppression. “Kick the Arab family to where the come from" (Lester Brown, p.127) Lester is one of the main characters’ boyfriend. He believes that Massoud has stolen the house unfairly. It was here when he realized that there is nothing they can do about the house, and that Massoud has to make the final decision on if he wants to give the house back or not. Lester’s saying not only portrays systematic oppression; but a strong feeling of racism and conflict. The novel shows a really massive systematic oppression which keeps the characters from collaborating positively. The cultural differences which influence the characters’ interactions restrain them from collaborating. The county [referred to the provincial government in the novel] makes a mistake on taxing the wrong person, and that leads to Kathy losing her house. Massoud then purchased the bungalow for a real