One element that aids in the creation of identity crisis in this novel is Díaz’s utilization of allusions to literature. Rafael Trujillo, a ruthless Dominican dictator, is a character in the novel who is identified thoroughly by allusions to literature, mainly from the genres science fiction and …show more content…
The key theme of identity crisis in his novel is successfully established through allusions to literature and the inclusion of Dominican Republic history. Diaz beautifully creates the beliefs, struggles, and journeys of his characters, as well as the magical nature of the settings the characters traverse, establishing a way for readers to interact with the story. Although some see this tale as the detailed, depressing, and short life of a dreamer, most dig deeper into the heart of the novel, and find it a tale of courage, strength, and not giving up on what you love. As Oscar says in his final moments, “anything you can dream (he put his hand up) you can be” (Diaz