The Sun is Also a Star

The Sun is Also a Star

by

Nicola Yoon

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The Sun is Also a Star: Chapter 108 Summary & Analysis

Summary
Analysis
Sitting on the rooftop and watching the sun begin to set feels magical to Daniel. He and Natasha hold hands and look through their list of questions. The next one is who they'd invite to dinner. Daniel says he'd invite God. Natasha is incredulous that Daniel actually believes in God, but he explains that his belief is more that God is the kind of connection they feel right now than a big man in the sky.
According to Daniel, God is a representation of the connections between people. Thinking back to the evangelical conductor, finding God is what allowed him to find a sense of belonging in the world.
Themes
Interconnectedness and Destiny Theme Icon
Isolation vs. Connection Theme Icon
Daniel says he thinks that everyone on earth is connected by little bits of good in them. Natasha grudgingly agrees that everyone has done one good thing in their lifetime, and Daniel continues. He says that he believes that God is the connections between the best parts of people, and Natasha calls him cheesy. She likes that he's thought about it, and Daniel thinks that he's never been able to articulate it so succinctly before. He asks Natasha if she believes in God. She admits she's not sure, but she definitely doesn't believe in a "fire and brimstone" God.
It's again notable that Natasha can deal with not entirely agreeing with Daniel's way of thinking without dismissing him; it shows that she's no longer thinking about only her one "right" way of doing things. Further, when she says she likes that Daniel has thought about it, it suggests that what she really likes is that he can come up with evidence, even if it's not purely scientific.
Themes
Passion vs. Reason Theme Icon
Quotes
Daniel asks Natasha what she does believe in, and she says she's interested in why people think they need to believe in a God. She thinks science is wondrous and amazing. Natasha states that the universe is made up of approximately 27% dark matter, and she looks delighted when Daniel is confused. It takes her several attempts to explain, but Daniel eventually understands that there is, essentially, not enough gravity in the galaxy to keep it from flying apart, which means that there must be extra matter out there that keeps it together. That extra matter is dark matter.
Natasha's mention of dark matter shows that what she's really fascinated in is the system of connections that hold the universe together, even if they don't seem like they should even be possible. This explains why she's been able to shift her thinking to view people as being connected as well, especially since the connections between people and within the universe are similarly mysterious.
Themes
Passion vs. Reason Theme Icon
Interconnectedness and Destiny Theme Icon
After asking a few clarifying questions, Daniel declares that dark matter is love—it's the attracting, connecting force in the universe. Natasha is disgusted, but they both laugh. The next question is for each of them to say what they're feeling. Daniel says that in all honesty, he's horny, hopeful, and happy. Natasha admits that she's confused and scared, since she woke up thinking she was going to be deported and now, she might stay. She says that she feels as though she's known Daniel forever, and all of it makes her feel out of control. Finally, Natasha admits that she's also happy.
Again, the fact that Natasha feels as though she's known Daniel forever is further proof that destiny and the idea of "meant to be" do exist within the logic of the novel, even for someone as logical as Natasha. Despite its existence, however, that doesn't mean that accepting it is entirely comfortable. This suggests that Natasha will have to continue to reckon with this in the future; her journey of discovery isn't over.
Themes
Passion vs. Reason Theme Icon
Interconnectedness and Destiny Theme Icon
Isolation vs. Connection Theme Icon
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Natasha insists they need to wait to stare into each other's eyes, so Daniel asks Natasha to recall her most treasured memory. She says it was the first time Samuel let her eat ice cream out of a cone when she was four. She explains that he thought she was great then, but he doesn't now. Daniel's memory was putting aside his fear to accompany Charlie on a roller coaster to try to make Charlie like him. Daniel comments that both memories are about people they now dislike, and Natasha suggests it's because those people are now so different from who they were then.
Daniel's observation about the content of their respective memories shows again that past histories continually inform one's present and one's future—he recognizes, essentially, that their dislike of Samuel and Charlie don't exist in a vacuum, and further, that he and Natasha are absolutely still connected to them even though they don't like them. Meanwhile, Natasha’s comment reaffirms her deep dislike of change.
Themes
Interconnectedness and Destiny Theme Icon