Drinking Coffee Elsewhere Our Lady Of Peace Summary
Introduction
"Drinking Coffee Elsewhere" is a short story written by ZZ Packer, an American author born in Chicago, Illinois. The story is part of her debut collection of short stories released in 2003. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive summary of the story, "Drinking Coffee Elsewhere," which features a young African-American woman named Dina who is struggling with her identity.
Plot Summary
The story begins with Dina, a freshman at Yale University, struggling to fit in with her peers. She feels out of place and disconnected from her classmates, who are predominantly white. Dina also struggles with her sexuality and her relationship with her family, who disapprove of her choices.
One day, Dina attends a meeting of the Black Student Alliance and meets Heidi, a fellow student who invites her to a coffee shop in a predominantly black neighborhood. Dina is hesitant at first, but eventually agrees to go with Heidi.
At the coffee shop, Dina meets a group of African-American men who engage her in conversation. They discuss various topics, including race, sexuality, and identity. Dina feels a sense of belonging and connection with the group, and for the first time in a long time, she feels like she is part of a community.
After leaving the coffee shop, Dina returns to Yale and tries to fit back into her old life. However, she realizes that she has changed and that she can no longer pretend to be someone she's not. She drops out of Yale and moves to San Francisco, where she begins to explore her identity and her relationship with her family.
Themes
The story "Drinking Coffee Elsewhere" explores several themes, including identity, race, sexuality, and the search for belonging. Dina struggles to fit in at Yale because she feels disconnected from her classmates, who are predominantly white. She also struggles with her sexuality and her relationship with her family, who disapprove of her choices.
Through her encounter with the group of African-American men at the coffee shop, Dina begins to explore her identity and her place in the world. She realizes that she doesn't have to conform to society's expectations and that she can be true to herself.
Conclusion
"Drinking Coffee Elsewhere" is a powerful story that explores the complex issues of identity, race, and sexuality. Through the character of Dina, ZZ Packer provides a poignant commentary on the struggles of young African-American women in today's society. The story is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring issues of identity and belonging.
