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Dramatic Irony
Key Examples in The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao
Flashbacks
Explanation and Analysis—Beli's Childhood:
Chapter 3 of The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao is a flashback to Beli’s upbringing. Hypatia Belicia Cabral was born in the mid-20th century and grew up in the Dominican Republic. She is described as remarkably beautiful, but she becomes an outcast at her private school because of her dark skin and foster family. Beli has romantic dreams of being swept off her feet, and she learns that she can manipulate boys with her beauty. Eventually, though, she is taken advantage of by Jack Pujols, the boy she’s been pursuing.
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Flashbacks
Explanation and Analysis—Abelard Cabral:
In Chapter 5 of The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, Yunior flashes back to the life of Abelard Cabral, Oscar and Lola’s grandfather. Abelard was the mother of Beli and is considered to be the reason that fukú plagues the family. The Cabral family was wealthy and had a high level of status in the Dominican Republic. But Abelard’s quiet dislike for the Trujillo dictatorship—and his refusal to hand his daughter to Trujillo—ultimately made him a target. He was imprisoned and killed, and the family lost their luck.
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