Magical Realism: The concept of fukú, a curse that is inherited over generations of a family, is presented both as a literal supernatural force and as a metaphor for inherited historical trauma. This is typical of Latin American magical realism, where the real and the mystical coexist in harmony (Bowers, 2004). 

Postmodern Narrative Devices: The book incorporates an unreliable narrator, non-linear plot, and copious footnotes that detail historical and cultural information. These devices make the reader an active participant in the novel and force them to challenge conventional narratives of history (Hutcheon, 1988).

Code switching and bilingualism: Díaz mixes English and Spanish to represent the Dominican-American experience in a genuine manner. This language blending is an expression of the diaspora's cultural hybridity and subverts monolingual literary conventions (Stavans, 2011).

Historical Fiction: The novel interweaves personal narratives with actual historical events, specifically the harsh dictatorship of Trujillo. This historical grounding makes the novel's commentary on intergenerational trauma and political repression more profound (LitCharts, n.d.).