Caramelo By Sandra Cisneros Presentation by Miss Van Valey

Setting ·Chicago: rural community-apartment over an upholstery shop ·Mexico City ·San Antonio, Texas ·Flashbacks- Story shifts from the early 1910’s to 2000

Main Character: Lala ·Celia (Lala) is a Mexican-American tomboy in her teens. In the novel, she tells the life of her grandmother, mother, and herself. Many of the stories are woven into one another and each of their heritage, personalities and motives grow familiar to Celia. Celia is the narrator throughout the book with a few interruptions from Grandmother. She is a character full of dreams and aspirations and looks forward to the future. On the other hand, her parents and family have their own dreams for her in mind. Celia is an appreciative, respectful, and curious young lady. Throughout the book, Celia reveals her true thoughts and shares her childhood experiences that any teenager can relate to. She discovers so much from her family’s past that she begins to understand her family’s way of living and sacrifices that were made for the sake of family togetherness and well-being. Celia is an inspirational character and her version of the truth tells the story of many, no matter what race, religion, or background one comes from.

Themes/Lessons Learned ·Deceit- lying to people to protect their own well-being, family, friends, or future ·Love- how far one would go to protect another ·Family togetherness- Very strong in Celia’s life. Strong bonds. ·Favoritism- mother/son, mother/daughter, father/daughter, father/son-huge dilemma with this family ·WEALTH- TYPE? Family, friendship, or money? Characters conflict with what is first priority for them. ·Coming of age- Lala, Grandmother, and Mother all share their own stories and battles. ·Borderlands- Different ways of living between two countries- Mexico and the U.S.

Favorite Passage ·“…We’re so Mexican. So much left unsaid. I’m afraid, but there is nothing I can do but stare it in the eye. I bring the tips of the caramelo rebozo up to my lips, and, without even knowing it, I’m chewing on the fringe, its taste of cooked pumpkin familiar and comforting and good, reminding me I’m connected to so many people, so many”(pg.428). ·The rebozo is a symbol of how the family is connected. The women in the story treasured the rebozo and shared their own hardships and glories wearing it. A rebozo is a shawl with extreme detail of artwork.

ECV KEY ·Connection to ECV ~~~~~~Key~~~~~~ ·“No, Father, you’ve always given us so much…You’ve been a wonderful father, a king. And we’re your kingdom--your kids”(pg. 426). ·Respect: Lala shows respect towards her family. Her family trusts and confides in her to keep their “white lies” a secret. She spends her childhood trying to understand and please her family. She appreciates everything her parents do for her.

Plot ·“Mijo, you’ll have to choose…Her…” ·The Grandmother’s fat finger points toward Mother, who is trembling with rage. “Or me.” ·Father looks at his mother. And then at our mother…Then Father does something he’s never done in his life. Not before, nor since”(pg. 86). ·The father in the story is torn between respecting his mother’s words and his wife’s. Lala is caught in the middle when she has to take sides, just like her father. Lala’s mother and Grandmother constantly argue and battle each other to the extent where they make the man they both adore, choose.