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Chapter 68
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
Daniel feels Natasha hesitate and realizes he's a little freaked out by how intense their kiss is. He pulls them to sitting and puts his forehead against hers, thinking that he could've never predicted the way this day has gone. He thinks that even Charlie's academic probation feels like part of a grand plan to connect him with Natasha, as it started the chain of events that led him to her. He kisses her nose and tells her that they were meant to be. Natasha pulls away, looking angry. Daniel suggests that they sing another song, and he can't understand what happened.
It's telling that Daniel creates a chain of events going all the way back to Charlie to explain why he and Natasha are together. In this way, Daniel conflates cause-and-effect relationships (which Natasha already believes in) with fate. However, Natasha's displeasure at his use of "meant to be" suggests that she's still not on board with destiny, despite all the evidence to the contrary.
Themes
Natasha apologizes for running hot and then cold, and Daniel makes a joke. He insists that most poems are about sex, which Natasha finds questionable. Natasha says that she's seen a lot of poems about love, sex, and the stars, and wonders why there aren't more poems about the sun. She says the sun is arguably the most important star. Daniel vows to only write poems about the sun and returns to his assertion that most poems are about sex. He mentions a poem that tells virgins to have sex quickly in case they die.
Natasha's suggestion that poets should write more about the sun alludes to a cosmic connection between all beings, as the sun is very much responsible for the fact that there's life on earth in the first place. Natasha essentially wishes that poets would acknowledge the actual source of that connection, while the connection manifests more as love or sex in Daniel's opinion.
Themes
Natasha laughs and then becomes serious. She suggests that the poet was actually suggesting that people live in the moment. Daniel asks Natasha to tell him about Samuel, and she finally agrees. She says that he seems to live with regret that somehow, he ended up with a wife and two kids. Daniel remembers when Dae Hyun gave Min Soo her painting set, and his dad had mentioned that she used to paint all the time. Daniel had been surprised to learn this secret history, but his mom wouldn't tell him about it.
Though the novel never fully explains Min Soo's relationship to painting, this offers another example of Daniel's history deeply influencing his life, even if he's not aware of it. Min Soo's affinity for painting and the arts is likely why she doesn't follow her husband and force Daniel to stop writing poetry in her presence, which suggests she's slightly more sympathetic to Daniel's case.
Themes
Daniel confesses that he wonders sometimes if Min Soo made a mistake having him and Charlie, but he guesses that she's happy. Natasha shudders at the thought of living an entire life thinking you made a mistake. She asks Daniel why he wants to be a poet, and he says that he's not sure why, but it's the only way he can get his thoughts out. He says the only other time he feels that good is when he's with Natasha. Natasha kisses Daniel again.
It's worth noting that the novel implies that Natasha would absolutely be making a mistake by not pursuing her relationship with Daniel, which suggests that she's beginning to use her dad's example to make positive changes in her own life. This adds a positive facet to her relationship with her dad.
Themes
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