Eric Li
Ms.Chiaro English 2 as 26 February 2024 Open Communication 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 one if they never express them? Freud suggests these unexpressed thoughts are like waves that will inevitably return to the shore. In the novel, Book of Unknown Americans, by Cristina Henrquez, several characters struggle emotionally. She uses literary devices to prove that if people are challenged to express their feelings and do not truthfully communicate to one another, they will unintentionally harm their loved family members. Throughout the novel, some characters have difficulty in truthfully expressing …show more content…
I didn’t want him to know that I had failed Maribel again.hearing Arturo’s optimism bubble to the surface, hearing the rawness of it, was excruciating” (123). The author utilizes repetition to illustrate Alma’s firm desire to please Arturo. Although Alma and her daughter suffered a major shock that day, she stubbornly refuses to share the truth with her husband, due to her desperate desire to keep her husband happy. Moreover, 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 decides to keep the pain to herself. Although these characters don’t express their feelings which temporarily solves their struggles, they only further divide their relationships, leading to larger problems in the future. As a result 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 …show more content…
Mayor observes Celia trying her very best to withhold her tears, possibly out of fear she may infuriate Rafael even more. Mayor understands his mother’s anguish, and he sympathizes with her troubles. Furthermore, the author uses a metaphor to compare the fiery sauce to his father’s anger, as both are hot, strong, and painful. 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 amount 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
Ms.Chiaro English 2 as 26 February 2024 Open Communication 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 one if they never express them? Freud suggests these unexpressed thoughts are like waves that will inevitably return to the shore. In the novel, Book of Unknown Americans, by Cristina Henrquez, several characters struggle emotionally. She uses literary devices to prove that if people are challenged to express their feelings and do not truthfully communicate to one another, they will unintentionally harm their loved family members. Throughout the novel, some characters have difficulty in truthfully expressing …show more content…
I didn’t want him to know that I had failed Maribel again.hearing Arturo’s optimism bubble to the surface, hearing the rawness of it, was excruciating” (123). The author utilizes repetition to illustrate Alma’s firm desire to please Arturo. Although Alma and her daughter suffered a major shock that day, she stubbornly refuses to share the truth with her husband, due to her desperate desire to keep her husband happy. Moreover, 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 decides to keep the pain to herself. Although these characters don’t express their feelings which temporarily solves their struggles, they only further divide their relationships, leading to larger problems in the future. As a result 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 …show more content…
Mayor observes Celia trying her very best to withhold her tears, possibly out of fear she may infuriate Rafael even more. Mayor understands his mother’s anguish, and he sympathizes with her troubles. Furthermore, the author uses a metaphor to compare the fiery sauce to his father’s anger, as both are hot, strong, and painful. 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 amount 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