Genre
Short Novella
Setting and Context
The short novella has been written in the context of the end of the world.
Narrator and Point of View
The story is narrated from the second-person point of view, narrating the life of Makina.
Tone and Mood
Terrifying and optimistic
Protagonist and Antagonist
Makina is the protagonist of the story. The antagonist is not mentioned because all other characters are helpful to Makina.
Major Conflict
Makina's ability to defend herself from the young man who tries to grope her at the border is the story's major conflict.
Climax
The story's climax is when Makina finally meets his brother in the US after going through difficult moments. Similarly, Makina later acquires US citizenship and decides to settle down.
Foreshadowing
The wealthy family's big promise to Makina's brother to participate in war spelled disaster. The wealthy family expected Makina's brother to die. When he comes out victorious, the family is surprised and unable to pay him as promised.
Understatement
Makina's expose of the racist policeman is an understatement because that alone could guarantee her to go free since she was an illegal immigrant.
Allusions
Allusions of crime and illegal immigration
Imagery
The novel is stuffed with images of crime, illegal immigration, and the distortion of identity.
Paradox
The main paradox is the wealthy family's expectation that Makina's brother could die in war not to fulfill their promise. However, he came out alive and demanded his prize.
Parallelism
There is a parallel description of gang activities and illegal immigration on the Mexican American border daily.
Metonymy and Synecdoche
Rio Grande is used to referring to a natural trap for those who want to migrate to the US illegally.
Personification
The switchboard is personified as an individual who conveys messages to different groups.
