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Chapter 119
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Sun is Also a Star, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Immigration and the American Dream
Passion vs. Reason
Interconnectedness and Destiny
Isolation vs. Connection
Summary
Analysis
On the train to Brooklyn, Natasha throws out facts about Jamaica. Daniel asks her for a good thing she remembers about Jamaica, and Natasha admits that she misses the ocean. She suggests they finish their questions. Daniel asks Natasha to share an embarrassing moment. She admits that seeing Rob in the record store was very embarrassing, mostly because Rob cheated on her, and seeing him with Kelly makes Natasha feel as though she's not good enough. Natasha shares that she called Rob earlier and repeats what he said, and Daniel promises to beat him up if he sees him again.
Natasha’s wistfulness about the ocean suggests that she will actually be able to shed some of the heartache and loss she experiences in the US and reconnect with her place of birth. It might even be a good thing, and she may even learn to swim again, something that she might never do in the US.
Themes
Daniel asks if Natasha's parents cared that Rob was white, and Natasha admits they never met him. She tells the reader she didn't want Rob to see how small her apartment is. Daniel admits that his parents want him to date Korean girls, and they decide that both sets of parents just want to be able to understand their children's partners. They decide that it shouldn't matter, and Natasha offhandedly says that maybe their kids won't care. She quickly amends her statement to the next generation of kids, not specifically her kids with Daniel, but she feels as though she's mourning something she's not sure she even wants.
Natasha and Daniel recognize that their parents are narrow-minded and turn to their heritage in order to understand and connect with others. This makes it difficult—and even impossible—for them to connect with people who seem different.
Themes
Natasha thinks about being on the roof earlier and imagines what the city will look like years in the future. She thinks she'll compare every skyline to that of New York, and every boy to Daniel.
Daniel will become part of Natasha's history and will consequently influence every part of her present and her future, whether she accepts it as truth or not.
Themes
