Harvest Festival
The narrator uses sensory details to capture the sights, smells, and sounds of the event. The reader can imagine the "crowds of Denver's chile harvest festival" walking around with their faces hidden behind masks of turkey legs and bundles of buttered corn, while "the dusk air smelled of horse manure and gear grease and the sweet sting of green chilies roasting in metal drums." Furthering this atmosphere is a Ferris wheel churning above them providing an eye-catching spectacle amidst the smoke-filled night sky. In addition to these general images, we also get more specific details that help us better visualize Luz Lopez in her booth at the festival. She is described as having “black hair curled around her noteworthy face, dark eyes staring into a porcelain cup…a brown satin dress dulled from many washes.” This image sets up an air of mystery surrounding her character as she reads tea leaves for an old man seeking answers about his health concerns.
Depression Era
The sun is depicted as a "large hot globe with wasps all around, as if Luz's eyesight had cracked into yellow and black," evoking unease and danger for the siblings. This is further underscored by their father working "the winds, the sunless shafts where men were often blown to bits, suffocated, trapped" in coal mines. Another example of imagery used to portray the setting are that clothes blowing on wiry lines are made dirty again from absorbing dust from nearby furnaces. These images accentuate how difficult life was for Luz and Diego living in poverty while also exuding an atmosphere of desolation. The description of a Model T parked outside their cabin also highlights the stark contrast between their lives and those who have access to luxury items like cars.
Tommy Spiegel
Tommy Spiegel is described as having bad skin and wearing several silver necklaces with different charms. This creates an image of a young man who is unique and perhaps misunderstood by his peers. The combination of religious symbols such as the Star of David, crucifix, and Krishna charm conjures a sense of belonging to multiple faiths and cultures, which could be seen as unorthodox to some. Additionally, the detail that he has a "habit of calling all girls Chickadee and Birdy" further highlights his distinct personality—his use of pet names indicates he is friendly yet slightly awkward in social situations. Finally, the imagery used to describe his physical appearance—the pimple on his nose and white apron straps hooked to his thumbs—evokes an intimate portrait of Tommy that allows readers to connect with him more deeply.
Curandera
The curandera is portrayed as having "sparkling skin" and wearing a colorful huipil "embroidered in purples and golds." Her jewelry of bracelets made up of shells pushes into her flesh while her teeth glitter with golden caps. These details paint the picture of an older woman who has seen many years and has embraced her culture through fashion and adornment. The scene further comes to life when she takes out the metate and begins grinding herbs to make a potion for the couple seeking help from her wisdom. While doing this, smoke fills the room from burning copal on charcoal, adding another layer to this sensory experience. This imagery underlines not only the curandera's cultural identity but also her power as an elder whose knowledge can provide healing for those in need.
