Happiness is a Dandelion Wisp (Metaphor)
At one point, Julia gets a random flashback to her and Olga spending a summer together in Los Ojos as children. Julia explains that these flashbacks throw her off, as they remind her of the simplicities of her younger life that she took for granted. When Julia explains that "happiness is a dandelion wisp," she refers to its ephemerality. After Olga's death, Julia's grief and sadness creep up on her during unexpected moments and deeply affect her.
Life as a Puzzle (Simile)
Julia describes her frustration with current circumstances when she explains that "life is like a stupid puzzle I'll never figure out." As a teenager who has experienced trauma and grief, Julia is unsure and dissatisfied about her place in the world. Although she wants to move from Chicago, she gets discouraged and dejected when she encounters difficulties at home and at school. Julia realizes that she must have patience with herself and the people around her in order to learn from her mistakes and move on.
Olga as a Baby Bird (Simile)
Julia describes Olga as being "as meek and fragile as a baby bird." In this comparison, Olga is characterized as helpless, innocent, and childish. Although this is the impression that Olga has left on her family, Julia is certain that there is more to Olga than meets the eye. As Julia discovers more about Olga, she realizes that her internal world was quite difficult and complex. She realizes that Olga may have felt alone in her struggles due to the pressure for her to maintain her chaste image.
The Border is a Giant Wound (Metaphor)
When Julia visits Los Ojos, she meets a young man named Esteban. The two flirt during her visit, and he alludes to wanting to move to the United States. Julia is afraid of Esteban crossing the border. She explains that the border is "nothing but a giant wound, a big gash between the two countries." Julia uses this language in order to articulate the violence surrounding immigration. During her visit to Los Ojos, Julia learns about her family's own violent immigration story. She thinks about how many other innocent people have been hurt, assaulted, or killed while crossing the border, and she ponders why there is such a disparity between the Global North and South.
Work like a Donkey (Simile)
The phrase "work like a donkey" appears two times in the novel. In the first instance, Apá tells Julia not to "work like a donkey" and to find a job as a "secretary." In the second example, Tío Chucho advises Julia not to "work like a donkey, like the rest of [her] family." In both examples, the audience understands the difficult physical labor that Amá and Apá perform in order to provide for their family, specifically as undocumented immigrants. For Apá and Tío Chucho, success is measured by working in an office and not having to use one's body in order to make money. While Julia envisions a future for herself that is different from that of her parents, she also does not aspire to work in an office. Rather, she hopes to one day realize her dream of being a writer.
