Junot Diaz's Drown

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The Evolution of a Man in “Drown” by Junot Diaz
The transition into adulthood is a process that results in profound change within an individual and can often transform who they are. In the case of “Drown” by Junot Diaz, the metamorphosis that Yunior experiences and his coming of age evolution, is a result of his desire to lead a more honorable life than those around him. As we begin the book, Yunior is an innocent and wide­eyed child who is trapped in a world burdened drugs, poverty, and sex. He is surrounded by poor examples of what it means to be a man, and how one is supposed to treat woman. He struggles profusely during this transformation, as in the case of Aurora, but he desires to be a better version than he was with her. We see the effects of this shift through the way Yunior aids the Puerto Rican girl in escaping her abusive boss. I argue that Yunior’s desire to be different than those around him and better than he once was, is what conclusively led to his metamorphosis and honorable evolution into a man that treats women with respect.
Yunior’s desire to be different than those around him, was brought on especially by watching the way …show more content…
Yunior drives the Puerto Rican girl home because he is worried about her and afraid that if she stays she will be mistreated. On the drive home, he says “I want to ask her if she loves her boss, but I ask instead, How do you like the States?” It seems as though Yunior is afraid to hear the truth­­that woman can love men who abuse and take advantage of them. Yunior wants to expect more from this world and this girl, so he doesn’t ask her, for fear of figuring out the truth. He is a character who cares a lot about the way women view him, so if he knew that woman love the men who mistreat them, it would probably hinder his evolution into a man who treats women as his equal. On the drive home
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