Fiesta, 1980 Questions and Answers
Fiesta, 1980
What are some literary terms and themes used in Junot Diaz's "Fiesta, 1980"?
Two of the most prominent devices Diaz uses in “Fiesta, 1980” are diction and similes. Diaz also uses a specific symbol—the Volkswagen van—to represent Papi and Yunior’s relationship. Through the...
Fiesta, 1980
Why does the protagonist change and become sick in "Fiesta 1980" by Junot Diaz?
Junior or Yunior [Spanish pronunciation] is the protagonist of the story “Fiesta 1980” by Junot Diaz. As the narrator of the story, Yunior uses Spanish words and phrases to remind the reader of...
Fiesta, 1980
How is love and hate at the heart of the father/son relationship in "Fiesta, 1980."
The relationship between Yunior and his father is difficult, to say the least. There is an unresolved tension at the heart of it which has almost Oedipal overtones. Yunior cordially loathes his...
Fiesta, 1980
How is the dialogue in “Fiesta, 1980” used to develop the characters? What are some examples?
The story “Fiesta, 1980” features Yunior as both protagonist and first-person narrator. Author Junot Díaz situates the boy within his family through dialogue among the characters as well as his...
Fiesta, 1980
What is Papi's girlfriend's name in "Fiesta, 1980"?
"Fiesta, 1980" is one of ten stories included in a collection of short stories entitled Drown, written by Pulitzer Prize-winner Junot Díaz and published in 1996. "Fiesta, 1980" was also included in...
Fiesta, 1980
Why does Yunior throw in the car?
Yunior, a twelve year old 2nd generation Dominican boy from Jersey, happens to be an extremely carsick person. He is the main character of Junot Diaz's "Fiesta 1980", and the middle brother of...
Fiesta, 1980
What is the relationship between Papi and Rafa?
In Junot Diaz's short story, "Fiesta, 1980," Rafa is the older of two brothers. Rafa is an alpha-male who is masculine, confident, and seems to have the same type of personality as their father,...
Fiesta, 1980
Why do you think the father in "Fiesta 1980" takes his own children to eat at his mistress's house?
The reason why Yunior's dad takes his own children to eat at his mistress's house may have everything to do with the idea of hinting at his children that men can do such things because...they are...
Fiesta, 1980
What does the statment in Fiesta 1980 mean when the narrator says "I met the Puerto Rican woman right after Papi had...
Yunior is referring to the time when his father first took him to the house of his Puerto Rican mistress. This wasn't long after Papi bought the van. Papa regularly takes Yunior out in the van as...
Fiesta, 1980
Record three examples of how Diaz uses descriptive language and explain the meaning.
Three examples of descriptive language used by Junot Diaz in Fiesta, 1980 include the following: Mami looked really nice that day. The United States had finally put some meat on her; she was no...
Fiesta, 1980
Discuss the love and hate relationships in the stories "A & P by John Updike and "Fiesta 1980" by Junot Diaz.
Both male protagonists in “A & P” by John Updike and “Fiesta 1980” by Junot Diaz have difficulties. Sammy, a grocery clerk, and Yunior, a young immigrant, feel strong emotions toward their...
Fiesta, 1980
Describe the protagonists' relationships to authority in "A & P" by John Updike and "Fiesta 1980" by Junot Diaz.
The male protagonists in “A & P” by John Updike and “Fiesta 1980” by Junot Diaz face problems with authority in their stories. Both of the young men struggle to decide what is the right...
Fiesta, 1980
How can I write an essay which looks at how the author uses writing techniques to explore the theme of loneliness in...
Yunior's nausea is supposedly caused by something associated with the van. The prevailing theory is that it is the upholstery. However, his nausea might be psychological. And this might have...
Fiesta, 1980
Can someone please help me come with 5 observations relating to how Diaz uses language to create characters in...
Slang - Yunior uses words like "dope" (as in "awesome"). This clues us in that he's probably a teenager, since adults and young children tend not to casually use slang, and it also depicts what a...
Fiesta, 1980
Does Diaz want the reader to be critical of Latino culture, or does he simply want them to be aware of what is there?
In "Fiesta, 1980," Diaz presents a harsh but loving view of Latino culture. He includes his father's infidelity and cruelty and the way his mother feels crushed by her marriage. However, the...