Reading Response to "No Face" by Junot Diaz

Kayla Choi 

            The protagonist, “No Face”, exemplified strength beyond what other characters conveyed in Diaz’s short story.  No Face is living in an unfortunate situation where he needs to constantly run away from people’s hostility towards him.  People who encounter this central character “wish him to fall” and for “him to be gone.”  Only but three other characters show empathy and compassion towards No Face—Padre Lou, the Canadian doctor and the owner of the beauty shop.  Even his own family members are portrayed as distant or negligent to No Face.  It also seems like he is disowned by his parents.  Not only was he harassed verbally, but he was also confronted by a group of boys who wanted to physically hurt him and “turn him into a girl.”  He responded to these environments in a way that shows he is beyond fear and revenge.  Instead of cursing or fighting back, he genuinely believed in a strength that lies within him.  When No Face was being ambushed by a group of bullies, He proclaimed “STRENGTH” while the “fat boy” was on top of him, and somehow he flew off of No Face’s chest.  If I were the protagonist, I would want to curse everyone and completely lose hope in humanity—no longer wanting contact with anyone.  His unfortunate encounter with a pig does not justify for other people to treat him in such an inhumane way.   However, No Face is vulnerable and honest with himself.  When he is afraid, he admits it.   When he needs help, he finds and receives it.  When he is cursed, he doesn’t curse back.  When he is pushed and thrown, he doesn’t strike back.  No Face sets an example in this story as he is faced with adversity to not shun himself despite being shunned by society.   He has shown great character by not being filled with hate but with patience and endurance.