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Chapter 76
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 says quietly that he postponed his appointment for Natasha. She incredulously asks if that's her fault, and Daniel thinks that he's not sure what he's accusing her of. Natasha insists that she warned him, but it wasn't his business. He says she should've told the truth. People start to stare, and Natasha disbelievingly asks if Daniel is falling for her. He can't answer, but asks why he can't fall for her. Natasha says that it's stupid and she told him not to, but Daniel cuts her off. He asks if she felt nothing while they were kissing, but Natasha insists that kisses don't equal forever.
Daniel's wild leap to blaming Natasha for postponing his appointment shows just how lost he feels in this situation, as he's willing to grasp at straws to make things somehow make sense. It's also worth noting that Daniel was going to be asked to postpone the meeting anyway, which, per the logic of the novel, suggests that there's more at work here than just Daniel's desires.
Themes
Natasha closes her eyes. When she opens them, Daniel tells her to have a nice life and turns away. Natasha tells Daniel that he's just like Samuel: selfish, and like him, he believes the world revolves around his feelings and his dreams. Daniel retorts that he at least has dreams. Natasha insists that humans are just supposed to survive; dreaming is a luxury that not everyone has. Daniel accuses Natasha of being afraid of becoming her dad, and they both insult the other's worldview. Daniel tries to tell himself that maybe it's better this way, but he thinks he would've liked to see Natasha's hair with pink tips.
It’s true that for plenty of people, simply feeding themselves and caring for their families is enough of a struggle without adding far-fetched dreams into the mix. This illustrates the amount of privilege Daniel has, mostly because of his status as a second-generation immigrant. He has no idea how difficult the struggle for citizenship and belonging is when one is still rooted to another country.
Themes
