Introduction
The book Bodega Dreams, written by Ernesto Quiñonez, is one of the best examples of how painful events could change a person’s life completely. At the beginning of the story, Chino – the narrator – thinks he knows exactly how to live his life and what role he has to play in society to be the most useful asset. The neighborhood quickly made him reconsider his worldview due to several challenges that might have never been resolved without a perseverant, knowledgeable intervention. Nazario, a street-smart lawyer, had the following to say about life in the neighborhood: “America is a great nation, I have no doubts about that, but in its early days, it had to take some shady steps to get there” (Quiñonez, 2015). Hence, there can be completely different outlooks on life, and Chino had to go through a series of life lessons to understand the true value of following one’s dreams.
Main body
The primary idea included in the book is that representatives of the same culture have to unite to promote their unique values and vision. When Willie Bodega, Chino’s friend, gets killed, it makes Chino realize that the perceived thug left the whole neighborhood a hidden message that was easy to decipher. It was “a new language Bodega had spoken” that moved Chino and made him think about all the potential transformations that could improve life in the neighborhood (Quiñonez, 2015). Bodega’s death woke Chino up and inspired the latter to spread positivity instead of cultivating violence and treachery. This is also one of the main reasons why Chino took Bodega’s legacy and tried to extend it to go beyond “a picture that has been hanging on a wall” (Quiñonez, 2015). He made sure that his positive attitude went a long way and affected people through assertiveness.
Chino’s development was shaped by a lot of pain and misunderstandings that were mended by Bodega’s efforts to enhance the neighborhood. Bodega’s Dreams is a story about how good wisdom can be passed down even in times of sorrow. Chino also emphasized the fact that “Bodega sparked an influence on the community like no other” (Quiñonez, 2015). Even when breaking up with his girlfriend, the narrator held his values close and focused on the need for the right attitude. Even the whole neighborhood could be expected to benefit from such wisdom, making Spanish Harlem “run faster, fly higher, and stretch out its arms further” (Quiñonez, 2015). Accordingly, Chino is not as selfish as at the beginning of the story because of Bodega’s efforts and the realization that there are things bigger than personal comfort and accomplishments.
Conclusion
Overall, it can be concluded that Chino’s glow-up could have occurred even without Bodega’s sudden death. The difference in the narrator’s worldviews can be explained through the interface of the need for change that forces people to adapt to the environment. It is vital to promote positivity across the neighborhood to pass Bodega’s message and make his dream come true. Chino’s reflection on the story of his life goes on to prove that there are numerous lessons one has to learn before succeeding in life. At the same time, even after his death, Bodega was able to influence numerous people, making it possible for the neighborhood members to live better lives. Regrettably, it took an influential person’s death to push more people toward positive change.
Reference
Quiñonez, E. (2015). Bodega dreams. Vintage.