Monday, January 2, 2012
The immigrant, the outsider, and the hero
In their own ways, each character in the novel is an immigrant, an outsider and a hero. Pick one character and discuss how they embody each of these characteristics in the novel. Discuss the differences and similarities between the ways that they are each of these things. Use specific examples from the text to support your opinions.
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Teddy -
ReplyDeleteLola has the constant desire to be outside of wherever or whatever she is doing. The role of immigrant, outsider, and hero are related because that is what makes lola stand out from the whole. Lola is not literally an immigrant although she is in her country of origin, at the same time she completely contradicts her environment. The immigrant also is symbolizes escape. Lola is also an outsider because she is someone who does not fit into whatever she wants to belong to. “… if these years have taught me anything it is this: you can never run away. Not ever. The only way out is in. And that’s what I guess these stories are all about.” Lola’s word go back to the notion that she had the constant desire to escape, and leave everything behind, she is often confronted with many issues and her only way out was to simply leave. She embodies a hero; because, she had the strength to see and obtain something that many have not. ‘The only way out is in.” Lola comes to realize that her uneasiness in her surroundings does not have as much to do with her surroundings as it does with her internally. Bigotry and dehumanizing slander is what makes Lola battle herself internally, the constant oppression from her mother made her stand out as a whole. Lola embodies being a hero because she soon figured out that she cannot quit everything (a hero again is someone who has a power that other do not). Lola had the will and power to overcome her obstacles which made her an outsider and an immigrant in comparison to the other characters.
Oscar was not literally an immigrant to the country, but he was an immigrant to his Dominican culture. Oscar was a lover. He was soft, sensitive, and a nerd. He was not the average Dominicano. Furthermore, as an immigrant to his culture, Oscar was progressing the idea of an escape. He was escaping his culture's traditions and his family's fuku. Oscar was not concerned about getting girls, "he hadn't cared about girls, but alas, he was still a passionate enamorao who fell in love easily and deeply"(23). Oscar did not grow up pursuing Dominican traditions of "pulling bitches with both hands"(24). Although he attempted to embrace his cultures traditions, he did not succeed and continued to alienate himself. Similarly to Oscar being an immigrant to his culture, Oscar was also an outsider to his environment. Oscar simply did not fit in. He was "a fat sci-fi reading nerd"(19). While everyone surrounding him had in priority gettin laid and in their appearances, Oscar entertained himself with writing and Japanese animé. Even though Oscar is an immigrant and an outsider, he was also a hero. He embodied the role of a hero because he had the strength to challenge his family, cultural traditions and environment.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the statement above, at first I didn't see Oscar as a hero because he had challenged cultural status bit after reading this o see..
ReplyDeleteTeddy