Joebell and America

Love in the short story was portrayed in different ways. Most importantly, I see Joebell’s great love for the United States of America. He seems to believe that America holds so many opportunities and the answers to all of his problems. “Everything he talk about is big: big mountains and big cars and race horses and heavyweight boxing champions and people in America — everything big.” The second way love is portrayed is between him and Alicia. Even though I wouldn’t consider what they have as love, he does. He seems to see a future with her and knows that she is way too good for him. That ties into Joebell reminding me of Yunior in This is How You Lose Her. Both characters are little trouble makers and are always up to no good. However, at the end of the day they probably seek love, since everyone around them has no hope for them. Loss basically took place when Joebell got caught, and couldn’t move to America. All of his hopes and dreams for his future collapsed at that point. He most likely let everyone down, so it was a loss not only for him but for Alicia and his mom, too.
          I really liked how the author added in Trinidadian dialect and speech patterns to Joebell. I feel like it made the story much more believable and realistic. I don’t think that it was excessive to the point that I wouldn’t understand what was trying to be told in the story so that’s a plus.