“For years, people stare at me, almost against their will. I’m different than other girls. By no means pretty. A curious beauty, people say, as if my green eyes are shinier, more valuable, to be possessed. Because of this, Mamá fears if she doesn’t plan my future, my fate will be worse than Teresa’s, who already has her brown eye on El Guardia, who guards the municipal building in the center of town.”

Ana is immediately characterized by her beauty. As a green-eyed Dominican, Ana stands out among her homogeneous community. This beauty is a gift that gives Ana the opportunity to be chosen for a life many other girls are not given. However, it is also a curse because it makes Ana a target for leering men. Ana’s beauty is seen as a quality separate from herself, which is dehumanizing. 

“One day you’ll understand. When you fall in love, you have to play it out even if everyone calls you crazy. That’s why they call it falling. We have no control over it.”

Teresa’s words foreshadow Ana’s future conflict in love. Ana and Juan are married but not in love. Their relationship is built on duty instead of passion. This leaves Ana emotionally available to falling in love with another man, which will put her family unit at risk. Here, Ana’s sister is used as a foil to Ana. While Teresa may have a less stable life than Ana, Teresa lives for love. Cruz uses this foil to ask which is more important: true love or family obligation?

“Lesson number one to survive this life, she says through the acrid smoke, learn to pretend. You don’t need to smoke if you don’t want to, but you can use it to act like one of those movie stars.”

Mamá teaches Ana the importance of pretense. Ana is a young girl about to embark on a new, unknown life. Even Ana’s mother doesn’t know how best to guide her except to teach her how to be a good wife.