A Feminist Reading of the Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao

Abstract

In the United States, where equality is preached, a severe inequality can still be seen in the treatment of women. In Junot Diaz’s, The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, Diaz voices this inequality and discusses machismo and rape culture, exemplifying the appalling effects it has on women as well as society. Using characterization and harsh diction, Junot Diaz juxtaposes the objectification of women with its toxic properties. Diaz crafts his story in a way that confronts the frequently ignored issues of machismo, and allows his readers to see for themselves how unequal treatment of women manifests itself as venomous for society. While Junot Diaz discusses these ideologies within a Dominican Republic society, my paper spreads past these borders, and evaluates how America maintains the idea of women as objects. America displays staggering rape statistics, yet fails to follow through in efforts to alleviate and discuss this plaguing issue. The view of women as sex objects is not confine to the pages of Junot Diaz’s book, but can be seen stretching across our world today. My paper will illustrate why The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao should be viewed as a feminist text, despite its derogatory language, and will also elaborate on the crippling effects of machismo and rape culture upon equality and untainted love. This project will closely evaluate the degradation of women and illuminate why men and women must not fall silent on issues of injustice, but voice their fight for fair treatment.