In “Fiesta, 1980”, Junot Díaz highlights the same dynamics we saw in the previous unit: the power that a man holds in a patriarchal society and the violence that can stem from his effort to maintain this power—and by extension, prove his masculinity. Though Ramón’s abuse is not directly present within the story, the characters’ range of reactions (not only to his anger, but also their hesitancy to disturb his happiness) conveys the severity of its effect on their family as a whole.
Yunior seems to bear the brunt of the abuse—as he puts it, “It was like [his] God-given duty to piss [his father] off” (26)—yet he craves Ramón’s affection and does not confront him about the abuse or the affair. Yunior also often comes into conflict with Rafa, who has begun to mimic some of their father’s violent behaviour but still avoids his wrath. Even their sister, no more than a few years old, has learned to fear her father’s anger: “Madai was too scared to open her eyes… Anytime Papi raised his voice her lip would start trembling” (26). Interestingly, though, she seems to be the only character whose relationship with Ramón is somewhat positive, as we see when they search for coins in the car. Finally, the mother is the most worn down by the abuse: she tries to protect her children, attempting to de-escalate the situation when Ramón begins to yell and consoling them afterwards, but there is only so much she can do without challenging him directly.
Though each person has their own way of coping with Ramón’s abuse, they surrender to it in order to preserve their family; however broken it may be, they are very few people they can rely on in this new environment, away from the home they are used to.
I think it’s an interesting point that you make about how the abuse is never shown, just how the characters react to the presence of Ramón and the worry of what he might do. Throughout the story he only needs to use his words, and his presence,to get the family to maintain the silence. Even when he is not physically there the family feels the threat of what he might do if he finds them doing something he doesn’t like, such as when Yunior is talking to his aunt. He doesn’t want to say anything to keep his father from doing anything to him and from having his family from breaking apart. I agree that this is a result of the family being in an unfamiliar environment, they don’t want to be left alone in a new country even if it means relying on their father and putting up with his abuse.
Hi Izabella,
I totally agree with your point of “abuse”. The story makes it clear that there is a patriarchal dynamic within Yunior’s family, even though they never mention it. Through the actions of the characters, one can have an idea of how unfair the share power in the family is being handled. I found interesting the point you made regarding to his sister. I did not think about it until you mentioned it. I believe the story’s purpose is to show us many possibilities and perspectives of how an immigrant family could look like under certain circumstances.
What you said is very interesting! I also believe that it is these behaviours from the family that enable Ramon to continue behaving in the manner that he does. Although they do not want him to behave in the way that he does, they consider his presence a higher priority than their own emotional and physical health. I believe does not dive deeper on the reason why. Perhaps it has to do with the lack of financial stability the mother has by herself, or maybe there is cultural pressure for the family to appear united. Whatever the reason, the story points out that the unbalance influence that a man has within his family leads to the power can wield over them.