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Latinx American Literature (Dictatorship # (Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao…
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"Course you gotta say that. Cause if I'm a Negro, then you and James is one too. And that ain't leavin out Sis and Poppa. Only Momma's an exception. She don't care what she is."(142)
Blood is thicker than water and in this novel family is one of the most important subjects. For Piri, however this is where a large portion of conflict resides. In his case, blood isn't just family but also race. Feeling unwelcome within his own family, Piri tries to find a sense of belongings amongst those of his own race. If the Civil Rights Movement involved white vs. black then it was Piri against his family.
"Fuku americanus, or more colloquially, fuku- generally a curse or doom of some kind; specifially the Curse and the Doom of the New World" (1)
The curse is constantly in play throughout the novel. Not only does it affect Oscar and his family, but also every dominican in general. Whether they be in the island or the America, the curse knows no borders. Trujillo, an infamous dictator, was said to be both a tool of the curse (killing a large number of people) and victim as he was assassinated.
The story of Ariel Hernandez mirrors not only the real life events of Elian Gonzalez but also of the main character. Stuck between worlds, she sees herself caught between her home in Florida and an education in New York.
"...And learned from Radio Mambi that the very first rally to support Ariel's Miami family not only was happening that morning but would be held just two blocks away, in front of the house owned by Ariel's U.S. relatives." (30)
