Stella Díaz Has Something to Say

Stella loves marine life, and each specific organism she takes an interest in symbolizes a different aspect of her complex inner world. The first oceanic animal Stella mentions is the octopus. She admires octopuses because “they are extraordinary escape artists” (20). At this point in the novel, Stella feels very timid and shy at school, and often wishes she could disappear. She thinks that being able to escape any situation like an octopus can “would be a really helpful skill to have” (20). The solitary octopus symbolizes Stella’s understanding of herself at this point—isolated and often wishing to escape tense or awkward situations. Exemplifying her growth over time, Stella eventually comes to identify more closely with sea otters than octopuses. Unlike octopuses, sea otters are highly social, even latching on to each other’s paws while asleep so they don’t accidentally float apart. At the end of the novel, the sea otter becomes Stella’s favorite marine animal, reflecting the value she has learned to place on social relationships. Stella used to feel overwhelmingly lonely, but by the end of the school year she gratefully reflects that “if [she] were a sea otter, [she] would have many people to hold paws with” (195).

Stella’s research into marine life is all inspired by her pet betta fish, Pancho. She appreciates Pancho because he “likes to be alone and is ok being quiet” (4), which mirrors Stella’s personality—she also enjoys alone time. But Stella’s view on her own sociability is complicated. After a particularly fun day with her family, Stella looks at Pancho and considers that she’s “really glad [she’s] not a betta fish” (9), because she wouldn’t be able to stand spending so much time alone. Later, she compares herself to Pancho again—this time with an air of self-pity. Stella feels that she doesn’t fit in with her peers in the US nor with her Mexican family. Pancho is similar, she figures, as “[h]e can’t be around other fish, but he also can’t live outside of the water. He doesn’t belong anywhere either” (114). This viewpoint is a phase in Stella’s journey toward self-discovery, though ultimately she does come to feel a sense of belonging in her community.