In the book Dark Dude
by Oscar Hijuelos, Rico lives a life full of change. One day he’s loitering on
the streets of New York, the next he’s at a small farm in Wisconsin. Besides
the changes of scenery, Rico faces the peer pressure of his two best friends,
Jimmy and Gilberto. The relationship’s he’s made with them dictate his
stability through the book. When Rico is very friendly with his friends,
he is more confident in the way he acts.
Gilberto was “the older brother that Rico never had.” He
guided him in the rough days of life in Harlem. One day, however, Gilberto
struck it rich in the lottery and was off to Wisconsin, leaving a ghetto life
for a hippie one. When Rico makes the trek to accompany him, he finds it hard to
adapt to his new lifestyle. This is includes slang, the people he hangs out
with, and the way he dresses. It’s quickly apparent that Rico doesn’t enjoy
this way of life. This relationship will play a heavy factor in ultimately
determining if Rico stays in Wisconsin.
Jimmy decided to go on the voyage with Rico to Wisconsin.
Like Rico, he got increasingly frustrated with the new living conditions. He
gets even angrier when he finds out that Rico took his painkillers, which he
increasingly got high on. He was mad a Rico for a week, refusing to even look
at him. Jimmy got even more irritated when he found out that he had to clean an
outhouse at 6 a.m., regardless of smell. This emphasizes the fact that he wants
to return to New York. His happiness also plays a heavy factor in keeping Rico
in Wisconsin.
Rico has to get by with a little help of his friends.
That will keep him satisfied in living conditions that contain a late gas
station ship, Gilberto’s terrible roommates (besides Jimmy and Rico), a
peculiar language, etc. Will he stay? No, the question is, can he stay?
great response
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