The immigrant novel entitled ``The Virgin of Flames ' and written by
Chris Abani can be approached as a sincere , sometimes excessively frank
writing about extremities into which human psyche can fall in the search
for identity . The present paper is intended to discuss the theme of
social and psychoemotional margins in the book and argues that the
protagonist , living in extremely uneasy , criminalized neighborhood ,
needs to focus on marginalized people , disgusting experiences and
experiments , due to the spirit of forthcoming collapse and devastation ,
dominant in his community .
The plot of ``The Virgin of Flames ' is set in the eastern part of Los
Angeles , probably the most diverse and multicultural place in the city ,
where African and Hispanic Americans are trying to coexist peacefully ,
yet without success . The atmosphere of threat and decadence is
emphasized by the author since the first paragraphs : ``The inevitable
broken fire hydrant surrounded by an explosion of half-naked squealing
children bearing witness to the blessed coolness of water . World-weary
tenements and houses contemplating a more decadent past , looking
undecided , as if they would up and leave for a better part of the city
at any moment (Abani , 2007 , p . 3 . The dark mystery of the place is
further supplemented by apocalyptic apparitions of the Virgins of
Guadalupe , considered a negative omen , warning about the forthcoming
catastrophes . Desperate and horrified members of the disintegrated
community begin to reveal the most antisocial and sordid sides of their
personalities as a result...