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Chapter 6
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Summer of the Mariposas, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Sisterhood, Motherhood, and Family
Magic, Myth, and Deception
Gender Dynamics and Female Solidarity
Kindness, Mercy, and Morality
Ancestral and Cultural Appreciation
Summary
Analysis
Inés insists that the Garza sisters stay the night. She feeds them and questions them on their journey to Mexico. Odilia tries to give as little detail as possible, claiming that Mamá knew about their trip, she is old enough to drive, and they have plans to visit Abuelita in the morning. Her sisters are quietly ecstatic about this visit, and Odilia internally decides to see La Llorona’s plan for her family through to the end. Still concerned, Inés insists that they call Mamá to let her know the girls are safe. Odilia panics, and invokes Tonantizin, spinning the ear pendant to hypnotize Inés.
Inés’s compassion for the Garza sisters characterizes her as maternal and generous. Recognizing this motherly concern, Odilia tries to head off the woman’s suspicions, knowing that the fact that they’re running away to Mexico could get Mamá into trouble. Newly aware of how the dead man’s story parallels Papá’s, Odilia’s decision to visit Abuelita and see La Llorona’s quest through to the end implies a greater desire to heal her family’s brokenness. Again, deception is necessary for the girls to continue on their journey unencumbered.
Themes
Odilia’s sisters question her use of the pendant, but they’re grateful for its results: Inés appears dazed and forgets her line of questioning, happy to hear they have family in Mexico. She shows the girls where they can shower and sleep and leaves them. The sisters bicker over sleeping positions before falling into bed. Odilia, Juanita, and Velia stay awake, talking about the day’s disappointing turn of events. Juanita remarks that nothing is ever as it seems, using Papá as an example. The sisters clearly see parallels between Gabriel’s abandonment of his family and their own father, and it dampens their spirits.
Again, the Aztec pendant smooths the way for the Garzas to continue their journey, a real-world example of their ancestors’ protection. Juanita’s comment links Papá to the dead man, this time comparing how neither of them are what they seem—rather than being loving, present fathers, both men abandoned their families. In a way, this illusion of fatherliness feels intentionally deceptive.
Themes
Velia asks if they are really going to visit Abuelita, and Odilia confirms the plan, inciting a chorus of cheers. Privately, she worries about what they will find at Abuelita’s house, and how she can protect her sisters from further disappointment. In the morning, Inés offers to make breakfast and asks Odilia to run to the corner store for a newspaper. She does so, trying to hurry, but stops short when she sees the day’s headline. The paper’s front page features a picture of all five Garza sisters, and the headline declares that they are missing.
Unlike the first leg of the Garza sisters’ journey, their next destination is personal and therefore more frightening, at least to Odilia, who is trying to protect her sisters from emotional (as well as physical) harm. Her worries that visiting Abuelita will somehow disappoint the girls highlights their present emotional fragility. The reportage that the girls are missing is an unexpected complication, signaling that the stakes of the girls’ adventure have changed.
Themes
