Despite the depressing and unfortunate context and situation presented in “Piedra callada”, I liked reading it. I like the fact that it was short story, not only in terms of the length of the reading, but for the sake that it got right to the point. In the opening two paragraphs the reader learns not only that Esperanza wants to get married, but also that her mother is abusive. These two points serve to set up important aspects for the remainder of the story.
Although there is dialogue in the story, it is never elaborate nor does it provide the reader with much information about the characters themselves. Because of this, I found the descriptions that Brunet provides of the characters to be especially helpful. I thought the minimal length of the dialogue was useful in the sense that it reflected the attitudes of the characters towards one another (especially Bernabé and Eufrasia).
One aspect of this story that I found to be interesting is the detailed description of the weather and land that begins about half way through. I hadn’t noticed it before that point, and then continued to notice it until the end. However, I am not quite sure what the significance of this description is. If it had been consistent through out the entire story, I do not think I would have really noticed it or thought all that much about it, but the fact that is begins half way through seems to me that it is significant in some way, although I am not sure how.
For the most part, I liked “Piedra callada”. It is unfortunate that Brunet is writing about such a messed up, dysfunctional, and manipulative family situation that seems to end as poorly as it began. However, I think it is important to write about undesirable and unfortunate circumstances, in order to make readers acknowledge their existence in reality.
February 11, 2007 at 11:30 pm |
Kerry, I think you make a good point about the importance of the frequent descriptions of the weather (and environment more generally?). It would be good to think more about this.
February 12, 2007 at 12:35 am |
I noticed the weather too…I think it has something to do with the events that will take place. It turns cloudy and dark, and the clouds form scary shapes. I think Brunet wanted to let us know that something bad is coming. When Esperanza got married, we had the descriptions of her future husband, as well as her own admissions. After she was gone, because neither the mother in law nor the husband are very talkative, the author lets us infer what will happen.
February 13, 2007 at 8:55 pm |
Just to comment on the weather: I think its meanings are tripliacte. First, I think it serves the plot literally, in that it keeps the family trapped. Eufrasia cannot leave even if she wanted to. Second, I think it reflects the emotional state of Bernabe and Eufrasia; as they get angrier the weather gets worse. Thirdly, I think it foreshadows the finale.
Any other ideas?
February 14, 2007 at 6:51 am |
I did not notice this while reading, it is definatly something very interesting. Using the imagery of the weather is an effective technique that can be used for forshadowing and other literary devices. I will focus more attention to this when reviewing this story.
February 15, 2007 at 6:54 am |
I too enjoyed “Piedra Callada” as it was a to the point short story that involved a lot of drama and was very attention grabbing. Looking back, the weather and descriptions of clouds seem to be a foreshadow of the dark events to come as Christina stated making the short story more interesting and complex.