Genre
Magic realism
Setting and Context
It’s not mentioned. The story probably takes place in the 20th century.
Narrator and Point of View
The author uses the third-person narration. Thus he doesn’t fully show the inner worlds of the characters, so that the reader is opening them while reading the story.
Tone and Mood
The story is written mostly in neutral mood, but the magical elements make it not common and “grey” – they make it brighter and make its atmosphere special in some way.
Protagonist and Antagonist
The protagonist of the story is Erendira (later – with Ulises), and the antagonist is Erendira’s grandmother.
Major Conflict
The main conflict takes place between Erendira, her thirst for freedom, and her grandmother, who just wanted the girl to make money for her.
Climax
There are actually two culminations in the story: when Erendira met Ulises for the first time, and when Ulises killed the grandmother.
Foreshadowing
The author opens many themes in his story: he shows that true love doesn’t know any excuses, any obstacles; he warns not to be like Erendira’s grandmother – greedy and edacious; etc.
Understatement
The author uses this method when showing how low is Erendira’s “price” in her grandmother’s eyes.
Allusions
N/A
Imagery
.Imagery is used in creating images of nature and characters descriptions.
Paradox
The author uses this method in the following fragment: “The grandmother protected herself from the sun with a tattered umbrella and it was hard for her to breathe because of the torment of sweat and dust, but even in that unhappy state she kept control of her dignity.”
Parallelism
The author shows in parallel Erendira’s behaviour when she is with her grandmother and clients, and when she is alone or with her love: these are completely different people.
Metonymy and Synecdoche
N/A
Personification
The author personifies the mansion which “trembles”, goats which “committed suicide”, etc. This is one of the methods which are often used in such a genre as magic realism.
