The Tree of Red Stars (4)

"As the late afternoon sun shone through the delicate stained glass of the tall drawing-room windows, its rays touched their glowing curls and waves. Some were a glistening auburn, others a silky brown with the richness of a bird's wing, and the eldest a pearly gray, swept softly behind int oa tick French bun" (31).

I am an appreciator of when an author is able to describe such simple things so beautifully. I think this is a wonderful example of imagery, it really painted a picture of the setting of tea-time in my mind.

Just like Magdalena is a deep thinker, so is Lucia (the cook of the house).
"She was a bird of independent character and had long ago discovered how to undo any latch invented by the brain of more restrained beings" (34).
Magdalena most likely learned to think the way she does from Lucia. She has grown up with her, and as she grew up around her I am sure she was taught to ask the question of why.

Chapter four talks alot about how women are not respected in Uruguay. They are viewed as objects, not much more. They are constantly yelled (complimented? no, annoying and rude) at, and are viewed much differently than the men are.
" 'She maintains,' tia Aurora explained, 'that in Uruguay a woman can't walk down the street without every male ouf of diaspers feeling it his God-given right to comment on her appearance. Without, of course, her having the right to reciprocate' "(36).
This quote is talking about their American friend, Miss Newman. Miss Newman is a beautiful woman, and she is constantly getting harassed when walking down the street. She is known to react feriouscly to this. Women are obviously treated different in America than they are in Uruguay.

Effrontery- presumption: audacious (even arrogant) behavior that you have no right to.
"Miss Newman, it appeared, has once offered to donate the shavings from her armpits to the bald man who had the effrontery to comment that she should not appear in public in a sleeveless dress if she was not willing to comply with the standards they considreed basic to feminine grooming" (37). Sassy, isn't she?

Insolence- crust: the trait of being rude and impertinent; inclined to take liberties.
" ' You are so full of insolence. What if your mother heard you being so familiar?' " (40). This shows that politeness is very important in Uruguay. It is rude to call an elder by their first name (but that also applies to the U.S. to some families).

Odious- causing dislike, displeasure.
"Recently, I had made myself entirely odious to them by pouring water from the balcony onto their heads as they sat in the garden below necking with their boyfriends" (41). Magdalena likes to annoy her cousins when they are "necking" with their boyfriends, how typical for a little girl.