When I Was Puerto Rican

by

Esmeralda Santiago

Doña Andrea Character Analysis

When Mami moves her family to El Mangle, she moves in with Doña Andrea. Doña Andrea looks like a witch and Raymond is scared of her. Negi hates that Doña Andrea laughed at her for being scared of the bathroom, but Doña Andrea is generally kind. She gives Mami food and cares for the children while she's at work.
Get the entire When I Was Puerto Rican LitChart as a printable PDF.
When I Was Puerto Rican PDF

Doña Andrea Character Timeline in When I Was Puerto Rican

The timeline below shows where the character Doña Andrea appears in When I Was Puerto Rican. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
6. Mami Gets a Job
Coming of Age Theme Icon
Women, Sex, and Power Theme Icon
Family Theme Icon
Romantic Love and Relationships Theme Icon
...It takes them three hours to get to Santurce. The air is foul. They reach Doña Andrea 's house and Mami, Negi, and the children fall asleep immediately upon getting into bed. (full context)
7. El Mangle
Coming of Age Theme Icon
Women, Sex, and Power Theme Icon
Family Theme Icon
Doña Andrea appears at the door and asks what's going on. Mami explains that Negi is afraid... (full context)
Identity Theme Icon
Coming of Age Theme Icon
Women, Sex, and Power Theme Icon
Later, as Doña Andrea feeds Negi, Norma, and Delsa, she tells them that if you hit your mother, you... (full context)
Women, Sex, and Power Theme Icon
Family Theme Icon
Romantic Love and Relationships Theme Icon
Negi describes Doña Andrea . She's short and round, and Raymond is scared of her. Her house floats at... (full context)
Coming of Age Theme Icon
Women, Sex, and Power Theme Icon
Family Theme Icon
Romantic Love and Relationships Theme Icon
Sometimes Mami lets Negi sit on a boat beside Doña Andrea 's house. Negi sits in the boat and watches the water and the faraway mountains.... (full context)