"How to Date a Browngirl, Blackgirl, Whitegirl, or Halfie" by Junot Diaz;

"Orbiting" by Bharati Mukherjee

 Diaz_How to Date, etc.pdf

 mukherjee_orbiting(MARKED).pdf

3. This teenage boy is clearly preoccupied with "getting some." How much experience do you think he has? Do you believe he is a reliable narrator-- that is, that he not only believes he is telling us the truth but that what he is telling us really is the truth? Support your answer.

7. What kind of person is Renata in "Orbiting"? Do you sympathize with her? Do you like her? Support your answer.

Question 3. "Getting Some"

This teenage boy has considerable experience with girls, in my opinion. Although I wouldn't consider him a completely reliable narrator, his "instruction manual" is quite detailed and obviously based on some previous trial and error. For example, you wouldn't think to hide family photos or government cheese unless you'd had some experiences to learn those tactics from. I find this protagonist a very interesting mix of qualities; his objectification of females is disturbing, however he seems to possess some sensibilities you wouldn't expect. He's actually considerate of the girl's parents (such as re-writing travel directions for the mother who drops her daughter off). He is also refreshingly aware that there are boundaries that can not be crossed; there's nothing in his directions about coercion, but instead he seems content with whatever happens- "Kissing will suffice" (Charters 292). Hygiene and being well-groomed matter to him. He respects his mother (enough to fear her at least). There's some hope for this guy. I can see him growing out of this immaturity.

There is no question that many males (especially young adults) have some major issues treating girls with respect. Sexual harrassment and date-rape occur far too often. While there is no excuse for such actions, and perpetrators need to be punished- I just want to point out that testosterone can be an overwhelming hormone. This is what is driving the thinking and behavior of the protagonist in the story, but he's not forcing himself on these girls, and that is a key difference.

The narrator in "How To Date..." is displaying a sex-obsessed teenage male's mindset. Although an opportunist, sexually speaking, I don't think he qualifies as a predator. He's aware of his own shortcomings and of racial biases against him, and projects the same criteria onto his potential dates. Some of his "wisdom" is imaginary (rule of thumb- the more a man pontificates about sex, the less he actually knows), but it's also safe to say that he's not a virgin. While I can't defend his line of thinking, it isn't exactly aberrant. Sex-crazed boys think this way.

Question 7. "Renata"

I do like Renata, because she is a very real character. As narrator, her internal and actual dialogue are uncensored and we as readers learn many details of her life. She's a woman still trying to find herself; still seeking the approval of her parents and sister. Two jobs are mentioned (her current one selling jewelry at a boutique, and a former for a phone company) and both are entry-level. This fact and the lack of furniture in her apartment indicate that she doesn't make a lot of money. She's been unlucky in love, with the ex-boyfriend Vic and apparently quite a few others; "all my little mistakes with them. with men, with myself" (731). I myself and I think many readers can sympathize with her. She's dealing with typical life problems and keeping a fairly positive attitude in the process.

Like many people, she feels the need for love and companionship, and doesn't feel complete without it. One gets the impression that she falls in love easily. She is still upset about losing Vic obviously, but she is moving on with new boyfriend Ro. I think it was smart of Mukherjee to make the setting a Thanksgiving dinner, because it is a time of year when people often reflect on their lives and the paths they've taken. We are all "orbiting" in a very literal sense. Every recurring holiday we've made another trip around the sun.