Caramelo

Cisneros makes comparisons between the intensely dramatic scenes of telenovelas and the equally—if not more—intensely dramatic landscapes of Lala’s memories. What do you think Cisneros is trying to say with these comparisons?

From the old recuerdo of Narciso in his pinstripe suit to Soledad’s caramelo rebozo, the objects kept by Lala’s family members are containers of memories. Choose at least two objects from Caramelo and analyze how they symbolically contain (and change) the memories their owners attach to them. 

For Lala’s family members—who regularly move back and forth between the US and Mexico—“home” is a complex and ever-changing concept. How does Caramelo define (and redefine) what “home” means? Does the definition of “home” vary between different characters? Choose at least two characters and examine how their understanding of “home” changes over the course of the novel. 

In the back of the book, Cisneros provides a “Chronology” of major events that shaped the socio-historic background of Caramelo. Select at least two events from the “Chronology” and explain how they correspond with the characters’ experiences in Caramelo.

The women of Caramelo persevere through traumatic romantic relationships. Compare and contrast the experiences of Soledad (The Awful Grandmother), Norma (Aunty Light-Skin), Zoila (Lala’s mother), and Celaya “Lala” Reyes. How do they demonstrate their strength through these struggles? What do their experiences suggest about both Mexican and Mexican-American gender roles? 

From the Grandmother’s mole to the chuchulucos Narciso buys for Exaltacion to the distinctive pumpkin flavor of the caramelo rebozo, food is a constant feature in Caramelo’s narrative atmosphere. What role do you feel food plays in the novel’s development? Compare and contrast at least three different scenes featuring food or food-related symbolism.

Caramelo illustrates the complex ugliness of racial (and interracial) prejudice, especially toward dark-skinned Native Mexicans such as Candelaria. How do Lala’s encounters and experiences with racial prejudice shape her understanding of Mexican identity? 

Caramelo is filled with many different kinds of language, including song lyrics, aphorisms, and imaginative phonologies of Spanish words. Why do you feel Cisneros chose to write Caramelo as a bilingual novel?