The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao Act 2, Preface Quotes
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao Act 2, Preface Quotes
How we cite the quotes:
(Act.Chapter.Section.Paragraph), (Act.Special Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote 1
It was only when I got on the plane that I started crying. [...]. I felt sorriest for the viejo [old man] next to us. You could tell he'd been visiting his family. He had on a little fedora and his best-pressed chacabana [a type of button-down shirt]. It's OK, muchacha [girl], he said, patting my back. Santo Domingo will always be there. It was in the beginning and it will be there at the end. (2.preface.46-2.preface.48)
Lola is leaving Santo Domingo to go back to New Jersey. She's pretty distraught. An old man sitting next to her says that Santo Domingo will always be there. So she can return whenever she wants. It's a comforting thought. However, we don't think the novel really supports what this guy says. Flip ahead to Oscar's visit to the Dominican Republic at the end of Act 2. Santo Domingo has changed. Places and people change. You can't go back to Santo Domingo because it'll be a different Santo Domingo. Go head, get out your Kleenex.
Quote 2
I didn't bother with the romance. I let him take me to a love motel on our first "date." He was one of those vain politicos, a peledeísta [part of the Democratic Liberation Party], had his own big air-conditioned jípeta [SUV]. When I pulled my pants down you never saw anybody so happy.
Until I asked him for two thousand dollars. American, I emphasized. (2.preface.8-2.preface.12)
When Lola and Beli hit puberty and turn into really sexy women, they talk about their newfound power. This is an example of Lola taking a man for everything he's worth. She's not proud of it; this isn't one of her best moments. That said, she does give the money to Max's grieving mother. Which is a pretty good cause, in our opinion.