Genre
Fiction
Setting and Context
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, early 1970s
Narrator and Point of View
Rodrigo S. M. is the narrator. He tells the story both from his philosophical standpoint and also from the point of view of the protagonist, Macabea.
Tone and Mood
Alternating between tragic and hopeful
Protagonist and Antagonist
Macabea is the protagonist, while Olimpico is the antagonist.
Major Conflict
There is conflict between Macabea and Olimpico from the time that they meet as he mistreats her.
Climax
Macabea is killed when she is hit by a yellow Mercedes.
Foreshadowing
The fortune teller foreshadows a positive turn around in Macabea's life, including money, happiness and a kind new husband.
Understatement
Olimpico is said to mistreat Macabea but this is an understatement because he is abusive and eventually dumps her for a co-worker.
Allusions
When Macabea consults a fortune teller, this action is an allusion to a time in the author's life when she did the same thing, and was told much the same things that Macabea was told.
Imagery
The imagery powerfully shows the poverty of both the North Eastern areas of Brazil, and also the poverty that exists among the riches in Rio de Janeiro.
Paradox
The fortune teller tells Macabea of the many great things that are going to happen in her life, but does not tell her to be careful or mindful of her safety. After hearing that she is shortly to be wealthy, happy and married, Macabea is hit by a car and killed.
Parallelism
There is a parallel between the way in which Olimpico betrays her trust and the way in which Gloria does so.
Metonymy and Synecdoche
North Easterners is the phrase used to attribute one monolithic reaction to the big city to anyone who comes from the poor north east of the country.
Personification
N/A
