Junot Díaz a spanish writer, writes a story about 2 friends. They were really good friends but because of one incident, it separated them. The reason for the separation of their friendship was because, one of them named Beto was a “faggot”. In this story, Junot Díaz writes using many expressional words. The writer uses any descriptive words that show the readers many expressions at once. These words that the writers choose to use brings up a very strong feeling to the readers. He uses phrases such as ” her finger soothing the creases” which makes you think what are those creases, why are they relevant? All she did, the mother, was take some money from him. So how did that sooth the creases?
Junot Díaz used alot of representation language in his works. Many of his time he spent with his mother shows that he is the man of the house now, and that he is the father. As he goes with his mother to the shopping mall, giving her about fifty dollars, it reminds him that his father used to give that to his mother. Realizing that, he knew it represented now that he was only partial of the man of the house his father was but he still had to make decisions.
At the time of the incident, while watching porn with his best friend, Beto. Beto reached into his shorts, and complained saying “What the fuck are you doing? This represented that he knew what was right and wrong but he didn’t stop him because he said Beto was his best friend. He knew all of this was wrong and he did all of the actions that represented that he knew it was wrong. He didn’t show up to the mall or anywhere else that he always goes to for fun, hid in the basement, and even rejected his mother’s cries to help him. He knew it was abnormal and didn’t want to end up as a “fucking pato”. All of these actions represented that he knew of these right and wrong.
At the end of the story, she spoke of the windows ” You better check those windows, she says”, I believe this part meant much of a greater deal. Throughout the story, he was constantly reminded of his past with his friend, Beto, before he was a “faggot” and before the incident. His thoughts lingered in his head about how much fun they had together as children but he knew that his friend was wrong. He knew there was different types of love, as a friend love and as a partner love; His friend Beto could not have differentiate that. His mother saying “You better check those windows” meant she was teaching him “you better check yourself again and do not fall in the same situation as your friend did”.
I agree with your point that when he gives the money to his mother it is representative that he now acts like “the man of the house.” This show a change of his role in the family and how his responsibilities change as well. It is also an interesting point you make at the end of your blog post about the windows. When his mother said that he better check the windows, the deeper meaning was that he should check himself.
We do see a lot of strong words throughout the story and like you mention does words such as “faggot” it can describe a lot about this character. The way this word is used in the story the reader notices how he might not really accept people with different sexual orientation and his community as well. Then you moved to the role he takes in his family and i do agree that he is taking the role of the man of the house but he is disagree when you said that now hes the father. With your description of the windows i didn’t really understand at first what you were saying but when i read the last part over i understood your analysis. We do see the story start with the windows and end with the windows after her mother expresses that you always have to double check to make sure your doing the right thing for there safety.
I agreed with your point about the reference to the windows in the last sentence of the short story. I believe that this allusion to the window sheds light on the fact that the narrator is able to reflect on his past and better understand the circumstances that surrounded his life. People tend to be caught up in the moment and often fail to take a step back and truly evaluate what is happening around them. With the last two lines being: “You better check those windows, she says. I promise her I will.”, it is evident that the mother wants her son to learn from his mishaps and encounters with Beto. Moreover, a window may be representative of thinking and reflection, but there are also boundaries around it that serve as reinforcement.
When you talk about the narrator’s conflicting emotions towards his best friend, I am not too sure whether he exactly knows what is right and what is wrong. I think these hard feelings that the narrator has about his old friend stems from his ambivalence about the whole ordeal that happened with him on that eventful day. I think that the way he brings up the description of ‘pato” in the beginning of the story without explaining what he means by this shows his ambivalence to the whole situation. This is highlighted by the fact of how the narrator recalls his old adventures with his best friend and how close they were and in the end he finally reveals why he does not want to see him anymore. This journey could serve as a mental transition for the narrator as he tries to figure out whether he should accept his friend for what he is or drop him from his life.
You bring up a good point when Yunior didn’t stop Beto from reaching into his pants. Yunior knows that Beto’s intentions are not what Yunior wants, but he lets Beto continue because he doesn’t want to be a “pato.” This proves to a certain degree that Yunior is doing everything that he could possibly do to conform to the social pressures imposed on him.
It’s also interesting how you talked in depth about the windows at the end of the story. I would have to agree when you point out that the windows metaphorically hint inwardly at Yunior’s characteristics. Diaz might also be telling the readers to see all the possible opportunities available before the windows close.
I totally agree with you, the writer use lots of descriptive words in order to enhance the expressions and feeling. Also, I agree with your mention that he gives money to his mother as representing “the man of house”. But, I am not sure about the part you talk about knowing what was right or wrong. For me, it seem like the narrator express that he doesn’t know what was right or wrong.
It is a really great point at you talking about the windows. “You better check those windows” her mother said. It means he should take a look with himself and do not follow his friend’s situation.
I definitely agree with you on all points. I think it was interesting how the reference to the windows at the end of the story is made. It shows the idea of “reflecting about yourself” especially when his mother tells him “you better check those windows”. That is important because a lot happened in the story, especially Beto’s actions, that changed the character of the narrator. The use of language is also really important to discuss and I agree that the descriptive words used are important in order to express what is going on in the story.
The narrator definitely uses strong language as he describes Beto in a derogatory way as a “pato.” I feel as if this shows the conflict he has because he doesn’t stop or outright condemn his friend. He also seems lost in his setting as his friend always told him “You can’t be anywhere forever.” Perhaps he wants to go somewhere else but can’t, he has to stay and take care of his mother; or what is possible in his life is slipping away. “I could already see myself losing altitude, fading, the earth spread out beneath me, hard and bright. “
I believe that the main character was in fact gay. However, I think that he is struggling to accept the affection he has for his friend. We can see the confusion he faces when he’s best friend tries to make moves on him. Even though you try to portray him as a “man” you can still be a “man” while being attracted to other men.
I agree with you that the author Junot Diaz uses many expressional words that would not be in your traditional reading, and many may consider his use of language harsh but I think his style of writing is what makes him unique and gives his story purity and realness