Junot Diaz's Fiesta 1980
Papi’s Control
Junot Diaz, author of “Fiesta, 1980,” highlights the life of a Dominican Republic family.
The story is set in 1980, Bronx, NY and centers around Yunior, the main character, narrative of their everyday life, his father Papi, and the events leading up to the “Fiesta.” Papi suggests a “Fiesta” (which means party in Spanish) and the entire family accepts the idea. This act set the underlining tone of Papi’s domineering presence. In this story, Papi displays different aspects of his controlling personality by demanding respect, creating unhealthy fear with his family, and making his sons feel complicit by exposing them to the knowledge of his adulterous relationship. Papi’s personality from the beginning exhibits his commanding presence by his suggestion to have a party and …show more content…
Which are evident in the way she anxiously adjusts her belt buckle over and over again. Yunior also gives insight into his mother understanding and non- confrontational response to Papi when he asks the question about whether or not the kids have eaten. She responds by nodding (yes), states, “Dios mio” (272), and takes the blame by saying “It’s not his fault” (272). After her response a state of intense fear arise in the family as Papi’s anger starts to show. Ravi (Yunior’s brother) moves away from Yunior not wanting to be near the possible smack, fearing he could receive one as well. Madai (Yunior’s sister) was too afraid to open her eyes, and as Yunior explains Papi’s tirades turns her into a wuss. Yunior did not look into Papi’s eyes in fear of a smack as he responds to Papi’s question. In addition, Papi wants to make sure the family undoubtedly understands his power by pulling Yunior up by his ear and saying, “If the throw up” (272), which is a threat that there will be consequences if this happens. Yunior’s tone is clear that Papi runs the house with an iron
Junot Diaz, author of “Fiesta, 1980,” highlights the life of a Dominican Republic family.
The story is set in 1980, Bronx, NY and centers around Yunior, the main character, narrative of their everyday life, his father Papi, and the events leading up to the “Fiesta.” Papi suggests a “Fiesta” (which means party in Spanish) and the entire family accepts the idea. This act set the underlining tone of Papi’s domineering presence. In this story, Papi displays different aspects of his controlling personality by demanding respect, creating unhealthy fear with his family, and making his sons feel complicit by exposing them to the knowledge of his adulterous relationship. Papi’s personality from the beginning exhibits his commanding presence by his suggestion to have a party and …show more content…
Which are evident in the way she anxiously adjusts her belt buckle over and over again. Yunior also gives insight into his mother understanding and non- confrontational response to Papi when he asks the question about whether or not the kids have eaten. She responds by nodding (yes), states, “Dios mio” (272), and takes the blame by saying “It’s not his fault” (272). After her response a state of intense fear arise in the family as Papi’s anger starts to show. Ravi (Yunior’s brother) moves away from Yunior not wanting to be near the possible smack, fearing he could receive one as well. Madai (Yunior’s sister) was too afraid to open her eyes, and as Yunior explains Papi’s tirades turns her into a wuss. Yunior did not look into Papi’s eyes in fear of a smack as he responds to Papi’s question. In addition, Papi wants to make sure the family undoubtedly understands his power by pulling Yunior up by his ear and saying, “If the throw up” (272), which is a threat that there will be consequences if this happens. Yunior’s tone is clear that Papi runs the house with an iron