Chapters 3-5

Thanks for your comments, Kelsey. Here are my thoughts about chapters 3-5.
I wonder how Antonio was influenced by his mother’s comment that it was a sin that a boy should grow and become a man. Will this cause him any kind of fear about growing up? Parents have a huge influence on their children’s perceptions of the “adult world” and what it means to be a man or a woman. When you were small, did you have a fear of growing up? What did your parents teach you about the process of maturing?

What is this presencia del río? What does that represent for Antonio? What does it symbolize within the context of the book? What is la presencia really? Does it consist of a sound? Is the presencia Lupito’s lingering spirit? Is it just the ambience and emotion that Antonio senses when he is near the river? In chapter four he mentions that before he was afraid of it, but now he is not. Why?

In chapter four, we see more of Antonio’s perceptions of God and faith as the family is praying to the statue of the Virgin. God is powerful, judging, creating and killing. He is not a forgiving God. María, on the other hand, is sweet, loving, and pure. Antonio trusts the Virgin more than God. His musings about the Virgin reflect typical Catholic beliefs, especially the passion for Mary. I was also interested in Antonio’s thoughts about purgatory as a solitary place and a place of rest in chapter three. Wow.

How do you think Antonio’s parents are influencing his perspective of religion and the church? How do you think Última is and will affect Antonio’s spirituality as the book continues? What role does ritual play in the family spirituality? What do you think of Antonio’s assertion in chapter five that his grandfather’s furrowed brow is what he envisions God looks like when he is angry? How does that reflect Antonio’s perception of his grandfather and what does that say about Antonio’s feelings toward God?

I like how the names in this book seem to take on a special significance or indicate facets of the character’s personalities. For example: Prudencio, Caballo, Huesos, Kid Vitamina, los Márez, los Luna, and María. María’s name obviously reflects her religiosity and firm-held Catholicism. Prudencio’s name indicates his good sense and wisdom as patriarch of the family. The boys of the gang—Horse, Bones, and Kid Vitamin—have great nicknames that reflect their rough and tumble nature, and I like how Última describes the matching family characteristics for the Márez and the Lunas. The Márez are loud and wild like the seas while the Lunas are gentle and quiet like the moon. What do you think is the significance of Última’s name as a curandera and mentor for Antonio?

P.S. I started a list on the side bar of words in Spanish that I am learning as I read the book in Spanish. Feel free to add to it. I think the rest of you should have access to edit that part.