Good research paper about bodega dreams

Born in 1969, Ernesto Quiñonez received an unparalleled acclaim as an American novelist with his very first novel, Bodega Dreams published in 2000. The novel received several awards including the Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers designation and the Borders Bookstore Original New Voice selection. Furthermore, Bodega Dreams was declared “ Best Book” and “ Notable book” by the Nation’s leading newspapers, The New York Times and the Los Angeles Times.
Bodega Dream by Ernesto Quinonez, as a novel in 2004, was proclaimed the “ New immigrant Classic” and “ a stark evocation of life in the projects of El Barriothe story he tells has energy and nerve.” by The New York Times. No doubt, some of this acclaim is probably due to its great contributions to literature, but it is a masterpiece by a recent immigrant to the USA. The novel talks about how one man’s grandiose dreams impacts education of not only a single individual, but also the society. It all started when Bodega was informed by the love of his life that it seemed as if he lacked the vision and a goal in his life. Consequently, this became a turning point in his life hence the incident is revolutionary. He then decides to engage in activities that would make a difference in his life, thus he strives hard to excel at all costs. Bodega never left anything to chance and was always steadfast in assisting the community. In as much as many people perceive Bodega as a drug baron, he was bent on improving the welfare of the community and hence had a vision for the community. He educates many children and advocated against racism in the Spanish Harlem society.
Vastly different aspects of the novel indeed make it a worthwhile reading, ranging in theme from the role of the characters to its contributions to literature. The novel features memorable characters such as dim-witted Neno, the wicked lawyer Nazario, the drug lord Sapo, and many supporting appearances of real artists and poets.
One of the major themes in the novel is education, and this is evidenced from Chino, who eventually gets involved with Bodega. In addition, the juxtaposition or contrast in the masterpiece makes it worthwhile. On one hand, Bodega deals in drugs that are considered a vice and at the same time he helps educate many children. He acknowledges that education is the best way to escape misery and poverty. Additionally, Bodega is keen on educating the children so that they do not end up repeating his past mistakes.
Apparently, the author of the novel employs the use of various writing techniques to bring the major themes and arguments to light. These techniques exemplify the plot of the story and enables the reader easily comprehend the themes and objectives of the novel (James and Alan 153). In essence, the author of this novel, in a considerable number of instances, employs the use of assonance, descriptive techniques, persuasive technique, consonance, imagery, personification, and allusions.
Apparently, throughout this Novel, the reader is predisposed to instances where characters are subjected to a situation where it is required of them to choose sides and show loyalty. Based on the above, it is apparent that the central argument as it relates to the novel is how people make decisions when in dilemma and how they show their loyalty through the decisions they make. As the novel advances, loyalty to one’s brother becomes a matter that is of the essence and a particular focus. Based on the novel, the novel essentially epitomizes the notion where people make a decision based on where their loyalty lies.
The characters in the novel that is constantly faced by situations where he ought to make decisions that entail choosing sides are Chino. From this novel, Chino is in most cases inclined to make decisions, between Sapo and Blanca, and sometimes Bodega and work. In addition, Chino make apparent the fact that he holds high regards towards loyalty. It becomes apparent when he says ” I take care of the community, and the community will take care of me” (Quinonez 30). Apparently, Chino asks for the brotherhood loyalty, he perceives brother’s loyalty to be imperative and significant and it cannot be compared in any way with money. In essence, the author integrates loyalty and money as the two central themes of the novel.
Another argument that is well established in Bodega Dreams novel is a racial disparity. In essence, racial emphasis establishes the fact that people value those that belong to their own race, essentially, because they perceive these people to be of their blood. The above is made apparent in the novel when Chino and officer DeJesus insult people from other races that include Rico and Cuba. However, the races to which the two groups belong share a lot in common, they still hold a feeling of resentment among them, irrespective of their similarities. Apparently, the argument that people of different races perceive each other aliens is brought to light in the book by developing tension between characters of different racial backgrounds.
Apparently, the arguments are central to the themes, plot and intentions of the novel. They are effective in the sense that the author validates the arguments using supportive ideas and appropriate references. In addition, the author makes use of appropriate examples to enlighten the reader and make the reader familiarize more with the main issues. The issues supported include racial disparities and the consequences, loyalty and quality of the decisions made by the characters when posed with challenges that entail critical thinking and choosing sides.
There exist dissimilarity and uniqueness from the way the author presents his arguments from the customary way of writing an essay or incorporating ideas in the novel. The author employs the use of chronological style in writing to ascertain that the arguments are well established and comprehensible to the reader. The events in this novel are narrated chronologically through the eyes of the characters in the story. The techniques used by the author in this novel exemplify customary styles in literature. The author employs the effective use of metaphors, symbolism, imagery, definition of motifs, and many other styles of writing, making Bodega Dreams a model novel and the best representation of high standard literature.

Works Cited

James, Missy, and Alan Merickel. Reading Literature and Writing Argument. Boston:
Pearson, 2013. Print.
Quinonez, Ernesto. ” Bodega Dreams.” New York: Vintage. NEEQ (2000).