Drown | Topics for Discussion & Projects

Drown Suggested Essay Topics

Throughout the stories, there seems to be no hope for the characters to escape their surroundings and upbringings. However, one of the most disadvantaged characters, Ysrael, seems to transcend his trouble. How is this possible?

Papi and Mami both embody certain failings in Latino life and character. Discuss their characters. Are these caricatures? Are they full-fleshed characters?

Yunior is not always the same character throughout the stories. Which of the embodiments of Yunior is most appealing and why?

Compare and contrast the cultures and opportunities in the Dominican Republic and in the United States. Which appears more attractive and why?

Diaz writes in a nonjudgmental manner about the choices of his characters, but begins to show compassion and understanding near the end of the book. Which style appeals most, the flat, unaffected style in the first stories, or the more human and compassionate tone near the end?

Diaz sprinkles Spanish...
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