Drown (Short Story) Summary
Junot Díaz

Drown (Short Story) Overview

“Drown” is a short story by Junot Diaz. It was originally published in the New Yorker in 1996, and it was later republished in Diaz’s 1996 short story collection, also entitled Drown. “Drown” is narrated by an unnamed protagonist living with his mother in a low-income New Jersey neighborhood. His former friend, Beto, has returned to town, but the protagonist does not wish to see him. As the protagonist goes about his routines and recalls events from two years prior, the story gradually reveals more information about the characters’ former friendship. This story examines themes of friendship, sexuality, self-expression, personal potential, and morality.