In Junot Diaz's novel The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, Lola and her mother, Beli, actually have a lot in common, but there are also significant differences between them in terms of how they look at the world, how they respond to the world, and how they interact with other people.

While Lola is not exactly an optimistic person, she generally has a brighter outlook than Beli. Of course, she has not lived as long nor suffered as much as her mother. Lola takes comfort in her books and her running, hobbies that her work-addicted mother lacks. Further, Lola still responds to gentleness from others and settles well into her new home when she goes to live with La Inca.

Lola and Beli are also quite different in how they respond to the world. Lola tends to retreat within herself, while Beli shouts and screams. Beli can no longer handle what the world throws at her without anger. Lola still can. Lola takes practical responsibility for things, cooking and caring for her brother. Beli works, but she doesn't seem to be able to handle much more than that.

Finally, the mother and daughter are different in how they interact with other people. Lola cares for her brother, for instance, while Beli tends to ignore her children or be verbally abusive toward her daughter. Lola embraces the influence of La Inca, who teaches her how to have compassion for others. Beli, on the other hand, tends to be harsh and even cruel.