Soledad Presentation
Transcript: m 1 p g A SOLEDAD by Angie Cruz B Angie Cruz Born on February 24, 1975 in Washington Heights, New york City, NY. She is of Dominican descent She attended New York University BA in English and MFA in creative writing Novels Soledad and Let It Rain Coffee Currently working on her third novel, In Search of Caridad BIOGRAPHY She has published short fiction and essays in magazines and journals such as: Callaloo The New York Times Phatitude South Central Review She has been teaching creative writing for over 15 years Texas A&M University New York University Metropolitan Museum of Art Her fiction and activist work have earned her: Barbara Deming Award New York Foundation of the Arts Fellowship Camargo Fellowship Breakdown of Chapters in Soledad C Chapter 1 Chapter 1 Themes: Independence Family Deception Quotes: When most kids wanted to go to, Disney World, I begged to go to Venice so I could ride one of those gondolas" [p. 1] "It's always like that: just when I think I don't give a shit about what my family thinks, they find a way to draw me back home" [p. 1] "I convinced myself that embroidering the truth about living on the Upper Upper Upper West Side was my way of keeping nasty stereotypes of Washington Heights out of people's minds. [p. 12] Chapter 2 Chapter 2 Themes: Coming of Age Jealousy Quotes: "I cross my legs and lean over to him and say in my best soap opera voice, 'cause I know guys like girls that make them open up" [p.27] "I imagine myself painting a portrait of me and my mother, without Flaca" [p. 31] Chapter 3 Chapter 3 Themes: Male Perception of Women Mysticism Quotes: "That's the problem with you guys, you have no patience" [p. 37] "Gorda mops Olivia's living room floor with Agu Florida, especially blessed by la viuda, who channels la Virgen Altagracia. Gorda has a hard time believing la Viuda has the power to channel Dominican Republic's patron saint with all the problem the island has on its own." [p.49] Themes: Escapism Spiritual/Religious Acts Symbols: Art Gallery Soledad works at Overpriced Cafes Kitchen/Pots Quotes: “But it’s part of a family code to protect each other even if it feels wrong” [p.62] “Women should tell women when men are betraying them I dream for that sisterhood” [p.62] Chapter 4 Chapter 4 Themes: Motherhood Female Family Relationships Symbol(s): Caramel Quotes: "It's life law. We must honor our mothers, our great-grandmothers, no matter what." [p.90] "Gorda still feels about her sister the way she feels about her feet; she doesn't like the way they look but they're useful and they're hers, and in the end she's glad she has them" [p.109] Chapter 5 Chapter 5 Themes: Loneliness Desire for Stability Superstition Symbol: Star-shaped Sticker Riche Water/Ocean Quote: "Gorda covers my mouth with her hands and pretends the words were never spoken. She waves her arms in the air as if she can make the words evaporate somehow. She lights more candles and cleans up the mess as quickly as she possibly can, shhing me every time I try to speak" [p.134] Chapter 6 Chapter 6 Themes: Womanhood Sexuality/Sexual Acts Loss of Naivety/Hope Symbols: Iluminada Quotes: "And right then she wishes she can keep Lumi and hide her forever..." [p.153] "I look into her eyes hoping she's incubating to become he kind of woman she desired o be before my father entered her life" [p.155] Chapter 7 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 8 Themes Memories/Record Keeping Age/Death Revenge Quotes "She says that when she has nothing to say, she pulls out a poem, from her memory and recites it. It was sher mother who taught her how imortant it is to collect words..." (169) "When an old man knows he's close to dying it helps to be close to his grave." (168) "Flaca says wickedly. She's excited that she can be so good at revenge... Flaca smiles at the possibilites" (180) Themes Conflict with Tradtion Denial Sexual Assault Chapter 9 Chapter 9 Quotes Finally the emergency crew arrives. As soon as my grandmother hears the sirens, she jumps up from the bed and locks the door" (182) "Only with all seven elephants the house was completely protected.." (189) Symbols Candles Elephants Symbols The Black Book Chapter 10 Chapter 10 Themes Secrecy Imagination vs Reality Quotes "I remembered when he would say to my mother, your daughter. Not my daughter" (195) "Finanlly my mothers' secret is out " (195) " I think somehow that y ou trapped these men between your imagination anf the physical world" (196) "Keeping secrets make friendships stronger" (202) Themes Home/ Origins Reminiscing (longing) Rituals and Superstitions Chapter 11 Chapter 11 Quotes "Everytime my mother says home she means San Pedro de Marcoris..."(218) "I remember when Soledad she was small enough to climb on my body..." (223) Symbols The movement of the pictures D Questions What role does the supernatural play in the book? Which characters see things that may or may not exist? Do you think Soledad's feelings for her family changes over the course of the book? How does the E