Character analysis of Papi - Essay Example

Efren Monarrez March 16th , Character Analysis of Papi Introduction The of ‘Fiesta’ Junot Diaz is a contemporary Dominican- American writer, who is considered to be as one of the 20 best writers of the 21st century. He wrote stories dealing with the real life experiences of people based on facts from their lives. His dual immigrant experience is seen reflected in all his literary works including the story ‘Fiesta’ which we are going to critically examine. In his story ‘Fiesta’ Junot sheds light on the character of Papi telling us that it is possible for an individual to affect not only to himself or his own life but also the members of his family, especially the next generation and their lives. The story is about Latin American families in which infidelity plays a major role. The father the head of a family, displays his infidelity and this has a major impact on all his family members. The story depicts how each member suffers and the different outcomes that take place due to it. This point is clearly seen when Junior experiences vomiting only when driving in his father’s ‘lime green’ (92) Volkswagen, because it was in this van that he witnesses his father’s infidelity when he gets to meet his father’s mistress. The vomiting session acts as a catharsis to help Junior get over his crushing emotional distress. In doing so, he attempts to reject this memory and tries to get rid of it. It is a different matter altogether because infidelity is a common attribute among the heads of Latin American families. The saddest part of the whole problem is that the next generation of these families grow up while being exposed to the lifestyle of their father and invariably may pick up this attribute of infidelity. The family does not approve of Papi’s bigamous act and this point is clearly seen when they refer to the mistress as ‘sucia’ which means ‘a dirty female’ and by Papi associating with her, he too was dirty and corrupted. Let us look at the larger picture of life where the spouse or husband lacks integrity. “Fiesta” elaborately tells us about the way in which the relationship between Mami and Papi is affected due to the infidelity of Papi. The severity of the problem is such that the strained relationship forces Mami to think of her life without Papi. Yunior’s childhood and life in general was badly affected by the lack of integrity on the part of his father. Papi’s cruelty to Yunior is clearly brought out when the family is invited to Tia Yrma’s party. The father becomes very angry when he comes to know that Yunior has eaten before the drive. He ‘pulls him to his feet by his ear’ (91) Even at the party he forbids him to eat at the fiesta for fear of him vomiting in the car and if he does his father will ‘beat’. (97) Diaz’s underlying message to the audiences is that Yunior is not only starved of food but also sympathy and love. When they moved into the Easter-egg blue house Yunior was still a child and already his father had begun to show signs of infidelity. Such bad exposure ultimately resulted in Yunior losing his entire childhood. When other children of his age were enjoying their childhood, Yunior missed out on all of it by having to worry more about the domestic problems he had to face and also the problems resulting from Papi’s lack of character. In Latin American families, infidelity is very common among them and this is seen reflected in Diaz’s story ‘Fiesta’. The outcome of such relationships experience widespread ramifications which are clearly brought out through the interactions of the family members when Papi’s infidelity comes out in the open. Every member in the family has problems with this complex issue and reacts to it in their own way. A woman can tolerate and accept anything that her husband does, but cannot tolerate his extra-marital relationships. Mami feels the same but is unable to express her feelings for fear of what Papi would do. The mother is not in a position to protect herself or take sides for her children without suffering bad consequences. For example, at the Fiesta, when Yunior is prevented from eating by his father, the mother seems helpless and it is only Tia Yrma who secretly passes him “three pastelitos” (97). Mami is time and again reminded about the lack of integrity that Papi exhibits. Whenever he returns home he takes a shower and Mami feels deceived and exploited because she thinks he is removing the evidence of his infidelity. This is a sore point for Mami and she feels even more hurt about it. Most of the relationships within the family if not all, are strained due to the infidelity of Papi. Yunior’s relationship is disgruntled with Papi as he has seen how his mother was betrayed and deceived by Papi. As a child Yunior was helpless and a silent spectator to the treatment meted out to his mother but was unable to tolerate it anymore as an adult. In analyzing the feelings and emotions of members within the family, Diaz states that it is of paramount importance that the head of a family has sound character and sets a good example to his family, in every way possible and ensuring that there are no permanent strains within the family and in their relationships. He also strongly feels that children are molded in the formative years and whatever happens within the house, in the family, badly affects their character. Even when a parent makes a mistake once, there is always a chance to correct and become a normal male. This would serve to help the family as a whole and the individual family members too. The wife may pardon her husband if he corrects himself and regains his integrity. According to Diaz, children begin to love their father like a normal child and the family bonds would be strong again and they could lead harmonious lives. References A Long Story Short www.kellideeth.blogspot.com/2010/10/fiesta-1980-by-junot-diaz.html Biography of Junot Diaz www.bookreviewsfortheaveragejoe.wetpaint.com/.../Biography+of+Junot+Diaz Fiesta Summary www.oppapers.com › Miscellaneous Fiesta 1980 www.deuslexmachina.wordpress.com/2010/03/.../fiesta-1980 Junot Diaz http://www.ccc.commnet.edu/latinoguide/secondary/Junot_Diaz.html Read More