The Tree of Red Stars

"The doors to my past appeared closed forever, and somewhere behind them, Marco lay in solitary confinement, not knowing that leaving him had been the most difficult decision I had ever faced" (3).

This book is about a time in history when Latin America's democracies are replaced by a military dictatorship. Marco Auerelio Pereira is a prisoner, and obviously a significant person to the main character in this book.

While reading The Odyssey, we have learned about epic similes. They are used to kind of "intensify" the view we get of the object or thing being compared. I found a passage in my book that might be classified as one (or similar to one).

"The Rio de la Plata was moody, rough, gentle, and wild, and to me, always beautiful. The river rejected unwanted offerings, harbored life, and took it. Marco, our friend Emilia, and I always brought our sorrows and our fears for an airing along its sandy shores. Something about the river's changeable colors and the music of its movement against sand and rocks soothed and comforted" (4).

I guess if anything, you would call this an "epic metaphor". The Rio de la Plata was also a significant place in the main character's life. Later on there is another metaphor about the river.

"As if to bring me back from this wishful thinking, the plane banked, and in the distance, the Rio de la Plata winked at me" (6).

Repetition is used in poetry to show significance; as is the same in writing.

Elusive- hard to comprehend or define
" ... , while I found sleep elusive and felt driven to walk the streets of London and Paris keeping the memories alive and the ghosts at bay" (4). Troubles in her past.

Anonymity- A condition in which an individual's true identity is unknown
" I could always turn around and return to the safety and anonymity of Europe, I told myself" (6). Europe is a possible safe-center.

Unimpeded- not slowed or prevented; "a time of unimpeded growth"
"We drove along the coastal road, our view unimpeded, as the sands, the rocks, and the gulls stretched for miles before us" (7). The coastal road (river?) has a beautiful view.