Essay Questions

How does the author use the character Abuela to develop the theme of family and identity?

Amina Gautier starts her short stories with her previous memories of Abuela (grandmother in Spanish). As they converse, the reader sees how the grandmother breaks down the ethnic barriers that exist between them. Amina is half-black but the grandmother is fully white and the reader can see their color dissimilarity. The grandmother tells the narrator that as much as the question of identity is important, what is more significant is the family love between them. Shortly after their last conversation, Abuela dies since she had been suffering from a certain disease. In her novel, Amina depicts love can answer identity questions in the most appropriate way. For instance, her grandmother’s love is more powerful than any issue that can arise from the identity crisis.

What symbolizes God in “Now We Will Be Happy” by Amina Gautier?

The 12-year old girl is fond of her grandfather's Salsa music, which enriches her with religious experience. She asks her grandfather to answer several identity crisis questions because she does not understand why she is half-black. The grandfather answers the young girl's questions with love and passion while listening to his Salsa music. His answers are convincing and they make the young girl comfortable. She finds Salsa music very comforting and encouraging. She cannot ignore to listen more Salsa music because it communicates love with religious message. Therefore, the author uses the Salsa music to symbolize God.

How does the irony of spousal abuse manifest itself in the novel “Now We Will Be Happy” by Amina Gautier?

Most people who are involved in domestic violence were abused when they were growing up. They developed that culture of abuse from their abusers. The reader expects that those who were abused when children should understand the evils of domestic abuse than any other person. However, it becomes ironic that they are the ones prevalent in domestic violence. The reader expects that those who were abused while growing up should be advocates and campaign against domestic violence and child abuse but the opposite is taking place. It is also ironic that instead of the husband using his authority and power to protect the wife, he is the one abusing her making her helpless without a protector.