We've all been there-Jacob Smith

"Telling Beli not to flaunt those curves would have been like asking the persecuted fat kid not to use his recently discovered mutant abilities. With great power comes great responsibility...bullshit. Our girl ran into the future that her new body represented and never ever looked back" (94).

In "The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao," Diaz creates an interesting parallel between all of the characters we've been introduced to thus far. Each of them has what I would call an identity crisis. Through their less than happy lives, they each try to find some kind of goal or focal point to direct more of their efforts toward. Until they establish those goals, they're almost in this kind of free fall. However, their biggest problems arise from not taking stock in their current situations. Oscar doesn't even stop to consider that the girl he's after might have a boyfriend, and Belicia doesn't think what sacrificing her education for the sake of finding "love" would do to her future. As soon as they found what they were looking for, they dove straight in with no regard. I think the quote definitely encapsulates this. That being said, there's something relatable that, I think, most readers can in these scenarios. Every young person eventually comes to the realization that they can't simply float as time passes by. When I was in high school I wished I could just read comics, watch anime, and muddle over what cards in my Magic deck need to be substituted in preparation for what the meta game throws my way next. We've all been there. What I think Diaz does so effectively in the first half of the book is establish this notion and writes in such a way that allows it to transcend generations. Parents and children alike go to great lengths to find something concrete to strive for. In Oscar's case, he sought to finally get the girl. Belicia tried to find the perfect guy to sweep her off her feet. I'm starting to think the fuku isn't some Dominican voodoo. It might just be normal (although it definitely feels like a curse).