Sigmund Freud, an Austrian neurologist, once stated, “Unexpressed emotions will never die. They are buried alive and will come forth later in uglier ways.” How can thoughts harm someone if they never express them? Freud suggests these unexpressed thoughts are like waves that will inevitably return to the shore. Several characters struggle emotionally in the novel Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina Henrquez. She uses literary devices to prove that if people are challenged to express their feelings and do not truthfully communicate with one another, they will unintentionally harm their loved family members. Throughout the novel, some characters struggle to truthfully express their feelings out of fear of disappointing their loved ones. On
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Additionally, there is an extreme juxtaposition between Arturo’s optimism and her misery, and this strong contrast bears too much emotional weight for her. She chooses to temporarily protect his feelings by not revealing the bitter truth, so instead of confronting the problem, she keeps the pain to herself. Although these characters don’t express their feelings and temporarily solve their struggles, they only further divide their relationships, leading to larger problems in the future. Because of this unopen communication, some characters unintentionally hurt the people they sought to please. When Celia brought up her husband Rafael, losing his job, “He reached across the table and seized both of her wrists. The glass bottles of vinegar and hot sauce rattled. I felt embarrassed for my mom, who sat across from me screwing up her face like she was determined not to cry'' (158). When the writer employs diction to describe the Mayor’s father “seizing” both of the Mayor’s mother’s hands, this demonstrates the sudden force used to control …show more content…
They both require relief and, if not attended to, can cause great pain and long-lasting damage. His father’s anger burns across the family and leaves major emotional scars on those closest to him. Internalizing one’s hardships only fuels uncontrollable rage. Afterwards, Alma highlights her encounter with Arturo: “Arturo stared at me with such incredulity it was almost horror. I couldn't speak. Tears from a wellspring deep and dark streamed from my face” (245). By likening Alma’s tears to water overflowing from a deep wellspring, the author uses imagery to highlight the sheer number of negative emotions Alma currently experiences. As she reflects on her mistakes, Alma is reminded of the consequences caused by her withholding information. She has broken her husband’s trust, and she feels a burning sense of guilt and shame. Her husband is in disbelief about the extent to which Alma risks and hides their daughter’s fragile wellbeing. Alma herself is in complete shock about herself, and she deeply regrets her own
Additionally, there is an extreme juxtaposition between Arturo’s optimism and her misery, and this strong contrast bears too much emotional weight for her. She chooses to temporarily protect his feelings by not revealing the bitter truth, so instead of confronting the problem, she keeps the pain to herself. Although these characters don’t express their feelings and temporarily solve their struggles, they only further divide their relationships, leading to larger problems in the future. Because of this unopen communication, some characters unintentionally hurt the people they sought to please. When Celia brought up her husband Rafael, losing his job, “He reached across the table and seized both of her wrists. The glass bottles of vinegar and hot sauce rattled. I felt embarrassed for my mom, who sat across from me screwing up her face like she was determined not to cry'' (158). When the writer employs diction to describe the Mayor’s father “seizing” both of the Mayor’s mother’s hands, this demonstrates the sudden force used to control …show more content…
They both require relief and, if not attended to, can cause great pain and long-lasting damage. His father’s anger burns across the family and leaves major emotional scars on those closest to him. Internalizing one’s hardships only fuels uncontrollable rage. Afterwards, Alma highlights her encounter with Arturo: “Arturo stared at me with such incredulity it was almost horror. I couldn't speak. Tears from a wellspring deep and dark streamed from my face” (245). By likening Alma’s tears to water overflowing from a deep wellspring, the author uses imagery to highlight the sheer number of negative emotions Alma currently experiences. As she reflects on her mistakes, Alma is reminded of the consequences caused by her withholding information. She has broken her husband’s trust, and she feels a burning sense of guilt and shame. Her husband is in disbelief about the extent to which Alma risks and hides their daughter’s fragile wellbeing. Alma herself is in complete shock about herself, and she deeply regrets her own