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Chapter 19
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
As Natasha hurries into the record store, she hopes that nobody in there saw her "having a moment" with her music. Natasha heads for the trip-hop section but stops when she notices a couple making out: her ex-boyfriend, Rob, and a girl named Kelly. Natasha wonders why they're not in school and thinks that Rob doesn't even like music. She hears Patricia's voice saying that everything happens for a reason, and even though she doesn't believe it, she feels like there must be some explanation for this horrible day.
Natasha's thought process in reference to her mother suggests that she's well aware that believing in destiny and God give people comfort, while her desire for an explanation suggests that she may be open to this type under the right circumstances.
Themes
Natasha wishes Bev were with her, as if she'd been here, Natasha wouldn't have entered the record store. As she continues to watch the furiously kissing couple, Kelly reaches out and slips a record into her bulky jacket. Natasha can barely believe it as Kelly snatches another record. Suddenly, Natasha hears someone next to her (Daniel) ask if the couple is really just going to steal. Natasha ignores him. To herself, she wonders if any employees can see this.
When Natasha flat-out ignores Daniel, even though they clearly agree that Kelly and Rob's actions are awful, it shows how Natasha actively works to keep people out by not acknowledging them. Though this is a self-preservation technique, it also has the potential to keep Natasha from important opportunities and experiences.
Themes
Daniel suggests that they tell the staff, but Natasha explains that she can't: the thieves are her boyfriend and his girlfriend. At Daniel's incredulous look, Natasha explains that he's her ex-boyfriend. Rob waves, and Natasha wonders how she possibly could've dated him. She turns to Daniel and asks if Rob is coming over. She suggests they make out, but Daniel blushes and doesn't seem to realize it's a joke.
Despite Natasha's desire to distance herself from others, her slipup about Rob suggests that she still groups him with her, even months after their breakup. This suggests that as much as Natasha would deny it, she likely does crave connection with other people.
Themes
When Rob greets Natasha, Daniel immediately asks why he and Kelly were stealing. Rob puts his hands up as Daniel reminds him that this is an independent record store, and it's hard for small businesses to survive when people steal. Rob doesn't stop smiling until Natasha points out that employees stopped Kelly. Rob rushes out the front door, and Kelly finally hands over the stolen records and leaves.
Daniel's comments about small businesses point to a larger trend: small businesses in general struggle to compete with larger companies, if only because they don't have the connections that the larger companies have. This then represents another facet of the consequences of isolation.
Themes
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Daniel smiles and says that catching Rob and Kelly was fun. He looks at Natasha, and Natasha feels as though she's smiled at him before. He introduces himself and offers her his hand. She takes it, doesn't offer her name, and puts her headphones back on. She tells him to have a nice life and leaves the store.
Here, Natasha's decision to use her headphones to end the conversation makes it clear that she has no interest in connecting with Daniel—her headphones allow her to isolate herself from everyone.
Themes
