Drown: A Consideration Essay -- essays research papers

In Drown, a collection of short stories, reservoir Junot Diaz presents readers with an impoverished group of characters through harsh, but vivid dustup. Through the express of Yunior, the narrator throughout the majority of the stories, Diaz places the blame for Yuniors negativity and uncontrollable reputation on the disappointment caused by his father and the childhood fondness of the States. Diaz, through language and symbolism, forces readers into an emotional bond with Yunior while exposing the illusory nature of the the Statesn dream. Although intertwined with each story, Fiesta, 1980 tout ensembleows for a more concise discussion of Diazs purpose. Diazs language, even at first glance, appears very different from courtly authorsMamis younger sister- my tia Yrma-finally made it to the United States that year. She and Tio Miguel got themselves an apartment in the BronxHe didnt say nonentity to nobody. (Drown, 23)Two aspects, his Spanish interjections into the text and hi s design to disregard English rules of grammar, surface in the opening of Fiesta, 1980. Yuniors narratives express Spanish words an average of about every other sentence. Diaz uses them to backup readers aware of Yuniors culture and homeland, attempting to stop the stifling effect America a good deal has on immigrants cultures. Also, Yuniors rejection of the norms of English writing, evident in the phrases got themselves and nothing to nobody in the above quote, gives his narratives a certain rebellious quality. not only does he rebel against Americas tendency to suppress cultural values but rebelling against American rules in general, even the rules of grammar. Diaz continues his well-formed attack on the United States rules with his lack of quotation labelPapi pulled me to my feet by my ear.If you throw up-I wont I cried, tears in my eyesYa, Ramon, ya. Its not his fault, Mami said.All of the conversations are printed in the manner above, without either quotation marks and sometimes even a new paragraph to indicate some other speaker. Diaz successfully attacks the United States in Yuniors defense, but through language style rather than blatant statements.Yuniors narration, besides being a political one, also appears very negative, but also extremely personal. His piece is conversational, which has a powerful effecttrooped back into the living room with their plates a-heaping and all the adu... ...ing. Although, in reality, Yunior is able to eat in America, this symbolizes his inability to enjoy any progress his family makes. Papis fingers werent gentle, once again referring to the obstacle Yunior has accepting Americas reality, harsh and invading. Papis reply because I said so alludes to the lack of answers America offers to Yuniors questioning of representation and the broken promises.Diazs symbolism mainly concerns his ideas about the image of America and the reality immigrants must face after such high hopes. Mami and Papi not only represent d ifferent countries, but an internal conflict deep down Yunior. He wants to believe that their family has finally achieved a level of success, but has plump so hardened against hoping that he physically and mentally cannot accept it. Overall, the stories in Drown possess both a sadness and an anger.Yuniors voice, although often vulgar and negative, draws readers into his life. As we read, we form a bond with Yunior. In doing so we move to another level, the political one Diaz wants to express. Thus, in knowing Yunior, Diazs cause also becomes important to readers, exposing the American dream for what it is an illusion.