Fiesta 1980,
Fiesta 1980
The story, Fiesta, 1980, is one that closely resembles my own childhood. The characters, their actions and experiences each hold similarities to my parents and sisters. For example, my mother was an alcoholic and abusive toward us kids just as Papi was toward his children. In the story, Papi says, “Don’t you mirror me” whereas my mom would say, “Don’t you give me that look”. One previous step dad was like Mami in that he would remain quiet until things got out of control. Only then did he speak up usually with little results before backing down again. The character of Madia reminds me of my little sister who closed her eyes and cupped her ears whenever there was trouble. My little sister, like Madai “was too scared to open her eyes”. My twin reminds me of Rafa who seemed to be the “perfect” one who could do no wrong in my mom’s eyes. For myself, I relate most to Yunior as we both seem to be the ones always getting into trouble and were punished the most. However, when the problems became too bad, Yunior had Tia to lean on for support. For myself, I have two aunts who were always there when I needed them and never pushed for more than I could give. In addition to similarities between the characters and my own family members, specific events in the story reminded me of my own experiences. For instance, the long car rides taken by Papi and Yunior reminded me of those we took when trying to get my little sister to sleep. As in the story, between Papi and Yunior, not much was said during our car rides either. Likewise, Papi’s affair with the Puerto Rican lady is also familiar. My mom and current step dad had an affair before divorcing and finally marrying each other. My mom’s ex husband and current husband were good friends, as was my mom and his wife. After sneaking around for two years they finally divorced their spouses and openly began seeing each other. Like Rafa and Yunior, all the kids knew about the affair but never talked about it
The story, Fiesta, 1980, is one that closely resembles my own childhood. The characters, their actions and experiences each hold similarities to my parents and sisters. For example, my mother was an alcoholic and abusive toward us kids just as Papi was toward his children. In the story, Papi says, “Don’t you mirror me” whereas my mom would say, “Don’t you give me that look”. One previous step dad was like Mami in that he would remain quiet until things got out of control. Only then did he speak up usually with little results before backing down again. The character of Madia reminds me of my little sister who closed her eyes and cupped her ears whenever there was trouble. My little sister, like Madai “was too scared to open her eyes”. My twin reminds me of Rafa who seemed to be the “perfect” one who could do no wrong in my mom’s eyes. For myself, I relate most to Yunior as we both seem to be the ones always getting into trouble and were punished the most. However, when the problems became too bad, Yunior had Tia to lean on for support. For myself, I have two aunts who were always there when I needed them and never pushed for more than I could give. In addition to similarities between the characters and my own family members, specific events in the story reminded me of my own experiences. For instance, the long car rides taken by Papi and Yunior reminded me of those we took when trying to get my little sister to sleep. As in the story, between Papi and Yunior, not much was said during our car rides either. Likewise, Papi’s affair with the Puerto Rican lady is also familiar. My mom and current step dad had an affair before divorcing and finally marrying each other. My mom’s ex husband and current husband were good friends, as was my mom and his wife. After sneaking around for two years they finally divorced their spouses and openly began seeing each other. Like Rafa and Yunior, all the kids knew about the affair but never talked about it
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