A Literary Comparison of Junot Diaz's Fiesta 1980 and August Wilson's Fences
A Literary Comparison of “Fiesta 1980” and Fences
Cultural Role in the Family Dynamic
Arthur Junot Diaz was born in the Dominican Republic and with his family immigrated to the United States when he was only seven years old. His Hispanic cultural background influences his story and characters Diaz’s characters use Latin dialect throughout the story “Fiesta 1980”. Likewise August Wilson grew up in a black neighborhood up north that influenced his characters, setting, and dialect in Fences. Both Diaz and Miller wrote from a cultural perspective. Each Arthur depicted how it was to live and grow up in their particular culture. Through the use of culture both Diaz and Wilson portray how important it is to the setting, protagonists, and overall understanding of the plot.
In August Wilsons Fences the protagonist Tory Maxson demonstrates how his own culture, African American race and upbringing affect his family life. Troy grew up in a time when segregation was socially accepted and that influenced how he viewed the world. As a young boy Troy could never fulfill the dream of playing professional baseball. During that era African American men were not allowed to play professional sports. “I thought we had an understanding about this football stuff? You suppose to keep up with chores and hold that job.” (Wilson, 1985, 1534). Troy’s own cultural experience from being segregated was projected onto his son. Although, it was a different time period Troy could not let go of the past and allow his son the chance at the future he never had. In “Fiesta 1980” Papi was raised in a strict Hispanic household were love and affection were not shown. In return Papi did not know how to show love to his own children. “Papi was old fashioned; he expected you to attend him, but not stare into his eyes, while you were getting your ass whupped.” (Diaz, 1996, 151). Papi did not know how to be a father, he was an authoritarian. Both Troy and Papi
Cultural Role in the Family Dynamic
Arthur Junot Diaz was born in the Dominican Republic and with his family immigrated to the United States when he was only seven years old. His Hispanic cultural background influences his story and characters Diaz’s characters use Latin dialect throughout the story “Fiesta 1980”. Likewise August Wilson grew up in a black neighborhood up north that influenced his characters, setting, and dialect in Fences. Both Diaz and Miller wrote from a cultural perspective. Each Arthur depicted how it was to live and grow up in their particular culture. Through the use of culture both Diaz and Wilson portray how important it is to the setting, protagonists, and overall understanding of the plot.
In August Wilsons Fences the protagonist Tory Maxson demonstrates how his own culture, African American race and upbringing affect his family life. Troy grew up in a time when segregation was socially accepted and that influenced how he viewed the world. As a young boy Troy could never fulfill the dream of playing professional baseball. During that era African American men were not allowed to play professional sports. “I thought we had an understanding about this football stuff? You suppose to keep up with chores and hold that job.” (Wilson, 1985, 1534). Troy’s own cultural experience from being segregated was projected onto his son. Although, it was a different time period Troy could not let go of the past and allow his son the chance at the future he never had. In “Fiesta 1980” Papi was raised in a strict Hispanic household were love and affection were not shown. In return Papi did not know how to show love to his own children. “Papi was old fashioned; he expected you to attend him, but not stare into his eyes, while you were getting your ass whupped.” (Diaz, 1996, 151). Papi did not know how to be a father, he was an authoritarian. Both Troy and Papi