50 pages • 1 hour read
Ibi ZoboiAmerican Street
Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2017A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Themes
The Struggle for the American Dream
When Fabiola’s uncle purchases the house at the corner of American Street and Joy Road, he does so in hopes of achieving the elusive “American Dream” of upward mobility and financial success “He thought he was buying American Joy,” says Matant Jo to Fabiola (57). The American Dream becomes conflated with freedom itself. But as the author notes, this American Dream proves very hard to achieve in reality. As a poor immigrant, it is much more difficult in American to ascend to a higher class, so immigrants such as Phillip and his family end up in communities where there is little money and little hope for a better life.
The constant, violent death that surrounds 8800 American Street also reflects the volatility of American life, showing that many people will fail to achieve the American Dream, ultimately paying with their lives. The American Dream is seen as a deadly curse in the story about 8800 American Street, but the author implies that Fabiola may finally break that curse: “Death parked itself on that corner of American and Joy […] waiting for the day when one girl would ask to open the gates to the other side” (219).
We also see the cost of the American Dream play out in the loss of one’s traditional culture through assimilation. When Matant Jo berates Fabiola for speaking in Creole instead of English, we see how thoroughly Matant Jo has bought into American assimilation out of necessity. Matant Jo went from being a relatively new immigrant who spoke little English and abided by Haitian traditions of voodoo to a savvy, businesswoman with a hard-edged reputation. Matant Jo believes this assimilation is necessary to survive in America, and she tells Fabiola as much when she says: “I didn’t know shit, just like you don’t know shit, Faboubou. Don’t worry. You’ll learn” (165).
In the book’s final chapter, Fabiola refers to the people around her as trying to climb mountains to achieve their version of the American Dream. She concludes “I am a mountain,” implying, that, she, too, will continue to pursue the American Dream despite the costs (324).
How Black Immigrants Fit into the African American Experience
Fabiola brings to life the struggle of the transition from Haiti to America when she tries to blend into the larger African-American culture of Detroit by wearing makeup and a weave and dressing in more typical American attire. We see this when Matant Jo asks Fabiola: “Donna’s trying to make you her Barbie Doll?” (181). Fabiola is torn between adopting to new American attitudes and staying true to her Haitian culture and her more modest style.
The culture clash comes to light when Fabiola’s English teacher, Mr. Nolan, asks her how she’s adjusting to life in Detroit, and Fabiola can’t find the right words to convey her complicated feelings about the situation. It is also evident when Matant Jo reminds Fabiola to speak English instead of Creole by addressing her as “Aunt” instead of “Matant.” It is a testament to Fabiola’s belief in her Haitian culture that she does not abandon her traditions upon coming to America. She cares for Matant Jo like a dutiful Haitian daughter, even though she also challenges Matant Jo. She steadfastly practices voodoo and prays to the spirit guides; she defends her faith when others around her try to belittle it. “It’s not just my ‘voodoo stuff.’ It’s my life” (321).
Fabiola also begins to appreciate the rich African American culture of Detroit, such as when Kasim plays rap music by a Detroit musician and takes her to a performance by a black dance troupe. Thanks to Kasim, Fabiola begins to have a more positive and nuanced understanding of this city that she now calls home.
Negotiating Divided Loyalties
Fabiola is divided between two sides of herself. She is at an important crossroads in her life, as symbolized by the presence of Papa Legba. On one side, she has her love for Kasim and her loyalty to her cousins. On the other side, she has her love and loyalty for her mother. Fabiola’s love for her mother wins out, and she tries to suppress her feelings for Kasim so he won’t be caught up in her plan to take down Dray: “I almost don’t want to be with him here; I’m in battle. There’s no room for love in this war” (183). However, Fabiola must press on with her plan to expose Dray if she wants Bad Leg/Papa Legba to release “your little jailbird” or Fabiola’s mother (149).
Fabiola also has a hard time negotiating divided loyalties between her friends, like Imani, and her family. As Imani says, “Your cousins will drag me out here on these streets. And it’s all ’cause I’m hanging with you” (173). Ultimately, Fabiola must choose between these divided loyalties. She chooses Kasim over her mother, which leads to Kasim’s death. In the end, she chooses again: to prioritize family above all else. Fabiola brands herself the Fourth Bee. United in sorrow, Fabiola’s loyalties are divided no more. “They know our story—the Three Bees. No. The Four Bees” (317).
Related Titles
By Ibi Zoboi
