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Chapter 50
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
Natasha watches Dae Hyun ring up a customer. He ignores her and Daniel, but silently and mysteriously communicates to Daniel that he should wait to bring the pouch. Daniel grips the pouch tightly and nervously leads Natasha to the back to get a soda. They walk down the aisle of dyes, and Natasha stops to examine a box of pink dye. Daniel notes that it doesn't seem like her style, and Natasha hates that he's right. She wonders if she's too predictable and boring.
Natasha's assessment of her own predictability suggests again that she doesn't necessarily want to be so rational; it's just a coping mechanism. The pink dye, something that's definitely frivolous and will do nothing but make Natasha happy, shows that she's unhappy with the way she looks at the world now.
Themes
Natasha pats her hair and tries to act mysterious, but only feels self-conscious about her hair. Daniel sincerely says that she'd look beautiful with a pink Afro. Natasha explains she'd only dye the ends. Suddenly, Charlie interrupts Natasha and Daniel. They jerk apart and drop the box of dye. Natasha thinks that Charlie is handsome, but she isn't sure she likes him as he sneers and asks who she is. Natasha introduces herself as a friend of Daniel's. Charlie pretends to be glad she's not a shoplifter, and explains that they get many shoplifters in "a store like this."
Charlie's comments again show that immigrants aren't all in it together to achieve the American dream; his comments hinge on the racist stereotypes that black people are more likely to steal. This shows that even though the black hair care store is a way for Daniel's family to achieve financial success, they do so by catering to people they think very little of.
Themes
Daniel angrily takes a step towards Charlie, but Natasha grabs his hand. Charlie gleefully notices and celebrates that this means their parents will no longer care about his academic issues. Natasha calls Charlie an asshole. Charlie asks Daniel where he thinks this relationship can possibly go, and Natasha asks Daniel to drop off the pouch so they can go. Daniel turns around to come face to face with Dae Hyun. He already saw Natasha and Daniel holding hands.
The assertion that Natasha's presence will distract Charlie and Daniel's parents makes it very clear that they, too, are racist and view black people as a means to financial success, not as people worthy of respect in their own rights.
Themes
