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Symbols
In the novel, illicit American goods represent freedom and serve as temporary comforts for those living under Ceauşescu’s brutal regime. Throughout the novel, many such items appear, including a can of Coca-Cola, a Twinkie, and the film Die Hard. The Coca-Cola and the Twinkie are gifts exchanged between Dan, Cristian, and Liliana, demonstrating their rarity and value. It is an important moment for Cristian and Liliana when they try Coca-Cola and Twinkies for the first time. While Americans like Dan might think of these items as quotidian products, for Cristian and Liliana they are luxuries that represent the opportunities and freedoms available in the West. Similarly, Die Hard—a film featuring Eastern European antagonists—is something that could never be produced in Ceauşescu’s Romania. It is a film that glorifies individualism and deals with the theme of resistance. Consuming these items are small acts of rebellion for Cristian and Liliana, which help them find comfort in their tumultuous political situation.
Illicit American Goods Quotes in I Must Betray You
The I Must Betray You quotes below all refer to the symbol of Illicit American Goods. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Chapter 6 Quotes
“Cristian,” she suddenly whispered. “Do you ever wonder . . . if any of it’s real?”
“If what’s real?”
“The things we see in videos—in American movies.”
It was an odd question. Or maybe it felt odd because I had wondered the same thing but never had the courage to say it out loud. But it also felt . . . suspicious somehow. Too honest.
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Starfish has just invited Cristian and Liliana to watch an American film, which is illegal in Romania. Cristian and Liliana have seen American movies before, and in this passage they reflect on how unfamiliar and unreal the West. Feels to them due to Romania’s suppression of outside influences. Because America’s everyday reality is so different from what Cristian and Liliana experience in Romania, it is difficult for them to believe the values and ideals that American movies express exist in reality. This moment sheds light on the conflicted feelings that Romanian citizens have toward the West and the United States, Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possi
Chapter 38 Quotes
“Bunu, how do we know that these broadcasts are accurate?” asked Cici.
“Freedom of the press is democratic,” replied Bunu.
“But if Radio Free Europe was created by the Americans, how can we trust it?” whispered Mama.
My father stared at her. “Mioara, what choice do we have?”
“We can turn off the radio! It’s too stressful!” she insisted.
“It will be more stressful without information,” said my grandfather. “Bunu,” I whispered. “Do you think the regime is listening to the reports?”
“Of course! They need the information themselves to strategize.”
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Here, Cristian’s entire family is listening to Radio Free Europe, an American-funded organization that broadcast news reports across Europe, particularly places that would not receive them otherwise. The conversation amongst Cristian’s family largely reveals more about their individual biases than it does about the radio station. Bunu and Cristian’s father listen to the reports because they need something to believe in, and they trust the United States to provide them with accurate information far more than they trust their own government. Meanwhile, Cici—who is working as a double agent for the Americans—appears more skeptical of the broadcasts. Even though freedom Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit e
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Illicit American Goods Symbol Timeline in I Must Betray You
The timeline below shows where the symbol Illicit American Goods appears in I Must Betray You. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 1
...far more interested in girls and learning English so he can understand lyrics in the forbidden American music he listens to in secret. Cristian and Luca attend class with the other students in...
(full context)
Chapter 11
...everyone else. She tells Cristian she has a surprise for him and then shows him a can of Coca-Cola , which Liliana’s father gave her for Christmas. Liliana and Cristian have never had a...
(full context)
Chapter 12
At Starfish’s place, Cristian and Liliana watch Die Hard , which a mysterious Romanian woman has dubbed. This woman dubs all the American films...
(full context)
Chapter 14
...up to his room. Dan’s room is covered with American pop culture items, such as a Bon Jovi poster and a signed Dallas Cowboys jersey. As he looks around, Cristian makes mental notes of...
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Chapter 21
On a cold winter day, Dan invites Cristian inside and shows him a collection of VHS tapes . The tapes are recordings Dan’s American friends made for him. Dan plays one for...
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Chapter 30
...in music and girls. When Cristian mentions that Liliana likes Bruce Springsteen, Dan rips out a photo of Springsteen from a magazine. Cristian does not say anything, but he knows Dan has just done...
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Chapter 32
...admits she wrote it in anger. Liliana tells him Liliana’s father was fired for taking a can of Coke , and she suspects Cristian of informing on him. The accusation leaves Cristian deeply upset....
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Chapter 54
...do more to fool the agent. Outside, Starfish approaches Cristian with an offer to sell American newspapers . Intrigued, Cristian asks to see the papers before deciding. As Cristian approaches his apartment...
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Chapter 58
...stunned to find not only a substantial amount of American currency but also the missing Bruce Springsteen article. The contents of the box make Cristian think that Cici is an informer.
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Chapter 81
...pen to keep writing because he is immensely talented. Cristian reciprocates by giving her the Bruce Springsteen magazine article and the package of Twinkies that Dan had given him weeks earlier. They share the...
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