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4. Sister Friends
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in With the Fire on High, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Coming of Age and Teen Parenthood
Creativity vs. Professional Norms
Food and Connection
Caregiving, Independence, and Identity
Support, Community, and Mentorship
Summary
Analysis
’Buela always tells the story the same way. In it, Emoni is only three or four, and at this time ’Buela usually comes home, turns on the radio, and cooks. This day is different, though, and ’Buela is in such a bad mood that she throws her rag down and walks out the front door. Emoni and ’Buela can’t agree on what ‘Buela was cooking, but little Emoni pulls up a chair and begins stirring and adding spices. When ’Buela returns, she throws a fit—Emoni could hurt herself or burn the house down. But Emoni doesn’t burn anything, and when ’Buela tastes the food, it tastes so much like Puerto Rico that she cries. Emoni learns that day that happy memories can make people cry.
It’s implied that before Emoni even picks up the spoon herself, cooking is something she associates with happiness and positivity. ’Buela’s daily cooking seems happy and lighthearted, given the radio in particular. So, it’s perhaps not surprising that young Emoni wants to experience that for herself and goes on to pick up the spoon. It’s also revealed that Emoni was either very lucky or naturally talented, since she not only kept the food from burning, but also spiced it perfectly. This experience also teaches Emoni that through food, she can connect them to their pasts and to happy memories.
Themes
Since then, ’Buela has been convinced that Emoni’s talent for cooking is magic. Emoni’s not sure about that, but she’s happier in the kitchen than she is anywhere else. She can imagine a dish in her head, add spices, and make something new and wonderful. Angelica, ’Buela, and Emoni’s Aunt Sarah all have theories about where Emoni’s talent comes from, but Emoni just knows she can make something good. And if need be, there’s always lime and hot sauce.
’Buela seems to refer not just to Emoni’s exceptional cooking, but to the fact that a three-year-old managed not to burn the food. Either way, Emoni decides to focus on the fact that she has a gift and should use it to connect with other people. She instinctively knows how to pair spices, but the true magic happens, she suggests, when she serves her concoctions to other people.
Themes
