Blog Post #2- Characterization

Aubree Monares

September 9, 2017

Literature

Blog Post #2- Characterization

The Distance Between Us is written in first person with the main character, Reyna, as the narrator. Because the story is being told from Reyna’s perspective, the reader gets to experience Reyna’s thoughts, hopes, dreams, disappointments, worries, and recollections, unlike the other characters in the book. The reader has knowledge of what Reyna is thinking and how she is feeling at all times, therefore, Reyna is definitely a major character. Also, because Reyna experiences and shares with the reader many different thoughts and emotions, she is a round character. Another major character in the book, is Reyna’s big sister, Mago. Although the reader does not have as much insight into Mago’s thoughts and emotions, she does have a major role as her siblings' “Little Mother” (Grande 13). Mago is a mother figure to Reyna and her brother, Carlos, when their mother leaves for El Otro Lado. Although Mago is a major character in the story, she is not very complex and could be classified as a flat character. A third significant, but less major and complex, character in the book is Carlos, the young brother of Reyna and Mago. Carlos can be classified as a major, but flat character because the reader does not have much insight into what Carlos is thinking and feeling. Mago, Carlos, and Reyna’s grandmother, Abuela Evila, could be considered the antagonist in the story because of the emotional and physical pain she inflicts onto Reya, Mago, and Carlos. Abuela Evila is a major, round character in the story because she contributes emotional complexity to the story of Reyna’s childhood, by treating her so poorly during such a confusing time in Reyna’s life. Two more very important characters in this book are the parents of Reyna, Carlos, and Mago. The reader knows little about the father of Reyna, Carlos, and Margo besides the fact that he wanted a better life for his family. The father can be classified as somewhat of an antagonist because of the pain and abandonment his children feel due to his absence. He can also be classified as major, but flat character in the story. The mother of Reyna, Carlos, and Mago can also be classified as a major but flat character in the story. Lastly, a major, round character in this book is, Elida, the cousin of Reyna, Carlos, and Mago. Elida is another antagonist in the story because of her arrogant, judgmental, and snobby attitude towards her cousins. Although Elida treats her cousins poorly, she is very emotionally complex. Elida is most likely hurting inside because of the fact that her own mother left for El Otro Lado. Elida may feel alone and hurt, causing her to express aggression and anger towards her cousins.

One character description from The Distance Between Us that stands out to me, is when Reyna is comparing her mother to physical scents, sounds, and sights that comfort her and help her cope with the absence of her mother. Reyna describes her mother by saying,

She was the smell of the apple-scented shampoo we asked Tia Emperatriz to buy for us. I found her in the scent of her favorite Avon perfumes I smelled on her old clients when Mago and I stood in line with them at the tortilla mill. I found the color of her lips in the flowers of the bougainvillea climbing up Abuela Evila’s house. I heard her in the lyrics of her favorite songs. . .” (Grande 33).

From the characterization in this passage, I hear the tone of longing in the narrator’s voice. The picture that is painted in my head when I read this passage is pleasant and full of color. I enjoy this character description, because although Reyna is hurting due to her mother’s absence, she still remembers the very best parts of her mother, and the warm, comforting feelings that are associated with them.