Carmen Character Analysis in In Search of Respect

Caesar’s girlfriend and Maria’s sister (not to be confused with Bourgois’s briefly mentioned neighbor who is also named Carmen). Carmen and Caesar stay together much longer than Primo and Maria do, although Caesar frequently beats Carmen and her two children from a previous relationship. She eventually forces him to go to rehab, after which he resumes living with her and using crack.

Carmen Character Timeline in In Search of Respect

The timeline below shows where the character Carmen appears in In Search of Respect. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Gender Roles and Family Violence Theme Icon

At the same time, Carmen—Maria’s sister and Caesar’s girlfriend—also gets pregnant and is relieved. Caesar has sent Carmen’s older daughter... (full context)

Poverty, History, and Public Policy Theme Icon

...drugs but still spends most of his money on them, and reportedly beats his girlfriend Carmen’s children, who are in the process of moving out of the house. Carmen soon throws... (full context)

Primo’s son, his ex Maria, Caesar, and Carmen are all living in Connecticut. Caesar has gone through rehab but continues using crack and... (full context)