Doña Araceli Character Analysis in Into the Beautiful North

Araceli is a Mexican Native woman who lives in Tijuana with her husband, Porfirio. They used to be farmers but were forced to sell their animals and move to Tijuana to find work. They live in the dump in a house made of garage doors, and Araceli plants beautiful roses along her fence line. During the day, she dresses as a native alms seeker and walks the streets of Tijuana looking for dropped coins. She's an exceptionally kind woman and offers to help Nayeli when she notices Nayeli and her group looking extremely bedraggled in the fruit market.

Doña Araceli Character Timeline in Into the Beautiful North

The timeline below shows where the character Doña Araceli appears in Into the Beautiful North. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Disillusionment and Idealization Theme Icon

The story introduces two beggars, Doña Araceli and her husband, Don Porfirio. They were once corn farmers, but now they beg and... (full context)

Female Friendship vs. Romance Theme Icon

Araceli and Porfirio approach Nayeli and ask her if she's alright. Nayeli replies that they're in... (full context)

When they board a bus, Nayeli pays the fare for Porfirio and Araceli. When the bus begins to climb a rocky hill, Porfirio motions for the group to... (full context)

...Nayeli, Yolo, and Vampi just sit on a bunk bed and stare at the filth. Araceli slices potatoes and onions and fries them in lard and then fries the eggs. Porfirio... (full context)

...doesn't pick up, and Nayeli almost cries. Atómiko then follows her back to Porfirio and Araceli's, where he decides that he and Tacho are great friends. Though Nayeli insists she doesn't... (full context)

Vampi and Araceli water the roses, while Yolo and Porfirio drink a cocktail made with the rum. Tacho... (full context)