Assignment Number 2

      The strategically placed demise of Oscar de Leon in the profound novel, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz, helps illuminate the importance of accepting oneself in order to become indestructible.

                The first time that the readers are introduced to the concept of Oscar possibly dying can be seen in chapter four when Oscar attempts to commit suicide at the train bridge in New Brunswick. He “drank a third bottle of Cisco and … reviewing his miserable life. Wishing he’d been born in a different body, in his drunken confusion…missed 18 proper and landed on the divider” (190-191). Yunior’s diction such as “miserable” and “drunken” depicts Oscar as a deplorable human being. This in itself evokes pity from the reader which makes Oscar seem fragile for losing hope in his desire and not accepting himself. Oscar would have been the victim of Fuku had he dies that day. As the novel continues, Oscar realizes the “the only way out is in” (209) and becomes accepting and self-confident. After this transformation, Oscar is finally reacquainted with death and his final moments, paraphrased by Yunior, were “there he wouldn’t be no fatboy or dork or kid no girl had ever loved; over there he’d be a hero, an avenger. Because anything you can dream (he put his hands up) you can be” (321-322).Oscar actual death is indicative of the role of a tragic hero who has died a martyr. Furthermore, in this evidence Oscar is stated to “put his hands up” and though many readers may assume that this is an act of surrender, Oscar’s action is a gesture of power- Oscar is accepting his fate which is his way of concurring Fuku. Yet, the most crucial aspect of Oscar’s demise that contributes to the novel theme can be seen post mortem in the very last line of the novel said by Oscar, “The beauty! The beauty!” (335). The word “beauty” that Oscar repeats, emphasizes the beauty of love-love of one self and of others- in order to achieve happiness. Also, by making the very last line of the book a direct quote from Oscar, the reader is engulfed with a sense of eternity- Oscar did not die in vain but achieved a happiness that no fuku nor person could destroy.

                The most common hubris of human nature is self-doubt. People often dwell on every flaw instead of acknowledging positive attributes. However, Oscar reveals to the reader that it does no good to doubt oneself, and that confidence may be the most attractive characteristic that one can display. With confidence one’s self prophecy can be full filled making one invincible.