Junot Diaz's 'Fiesta 1980'

We become who we are by the people around us. Junot Diaz shows us how true this saying is in his stories. The proof starts in “Fiesta 1980” because Yunior’s examples of love lead him to become the “sucio” we know in “Miss Lora” and “The Cheater’s Guide to Love”. Ramon’s ( Yunior’s father) constant cheating implants a dominant male culture in Yunior’s head. Also his older sibling, Rafa, is a spitting image of his father. Not having any other examples to follow Yunior conforms into the “sucio” culture. Yunior’s upbringing and “role models” is the core of his relationship problems. The example of love Ramon leaves his sons is the reason why Yunior’s relationships fail. Ultimately, Yunior is left depressed and uneasy. Children are always brought to places like Church, school, or shopping with their parents. As much as they go against it , with kicks and screams, they always end

Sadly for Yunior he does not have the best example with Rafa. In “Miss Lora,” Diaz shows how much Rafa plays apart in Yunior’s decisions even when Rafa is dead. “Years later, you would wonder if it hadn’t been for your brother would you have done it?” Yunior is sleeping with his teacher just like Rafa did with “Mrs. Del Orbe”. But this skinny woman was older than him whose toned muscles eliminated any fat from her body. Yunior doesnt really find her attractive; he would rather sleep with his Puerto Rican girlfriend, Paloma, But she doesn’t want to make any mistakes by ruining her future by sleeping with him. When having an older brother you have no other example to look at but him. The way he acts, gets girls, and the type of respect he gives to people all influence Yunior’s behavior. This is not a proper or legal relationship for a sixteen year old Yunior. But once again, the inner “sucio” who just needs “culo” comes out. “Miss Lora” gives us a glimpse into who Yunior will develop into as a