The book engages with its readers, inviting them to a journey of personal growth and the struggles that the lead character experiences in the process.Īs a result, the author creates a compelling character with an original arc by showing the transformation gradually, through a series of events that can hardly be described as monumental in their importance yet still leave a tangible mark on the protagonist. With its profound commentary on the nature of emotional and social anxiety in its leading character, as well as the premises for elaborating about the challenges faced by Dominican immigrants in the American setting, the collection of short stories under analysis gains particularly vast importance in the modern literature. Since there have been no attempts at expanding on the problems of Dominicans acculturating to the American setting and the discomfort that they feel in the process, the book should be recognized for its significance and the impact that it has on the audience. The book studies the problems of Dominican people in the US cultural environment thoroughly, which adds significance to the narrative and imbues each of the short novels with a particular meaning.

The issues that Yunior, the main protagonist of the novel, faces, are numerous and multilateral.

What seemingly appears to be a set of disconnected narratives turns out to be an emotional journey of a young Dominican man portrayed as a series of the slices of his life. The story of Yunior, a young Latino man, his family, and the struggles that they face in the hostile foreign setting unwraps the tragedy of the situation in front of readers. By portraying the economic issues that the family of the protagonist had to encounter before moving to the U.S, Diaz establishes the background for the book and allows the reader to delve into the narration with a sense of connection to the main character and the troubles that he has faced.

Due to the increase in political, economic, and financial challenges that people have to face in the setting of their home countries, immigration has become practically the only salvation for a range of disadvantaged populations in a number of countries, the Dominican Republic being one of them. The concerns regarding the process of cultural integration are not new in modern society. By showing the readers the two extremes entirely unasked, Diaz throws his audience out of balance and shocks them into paying attention to the delicate details that make the story even more powerful. However, what makes “Drown” particularly challenging is the contrast between the seemingly calm and impassionate environment in which the main character lives and the downpour of struggles, including emotional and cultural ones that Dominican immigrants face in the American setting.

Short stories by junot diaz