The Tree of Red Stars

"He was to speak at the University, and I was determined to go. My parents forbade it. Che Guevara was a revolutionary terrorist, they said, and trouble followed wherever he went. I pleaded with Marco to escort me, but he was equally adamant" (101).

Magdalena is fit to be a revolutionist; she wants to be active in the political issues her home is currently facing. She hates it that everyone thinks she can't take part. They think she is too little, that she doesn't know what really goes on at the rallies she wants to attend. She later finds out, though.

" ' Officer, I-' I stopped, a cry of surprise caught in my throat. His hands were under my skirt, groping between my legs. The sting of his fingers penetrating me made me turn and hit him with all my strength with the brass buckle of my handbag. He reeled in surprise and fell, a hand to his bleeding mouth. Before he could recover, I kicked him in the stomach, discarded my high-heeled shoes, and ran along the broken pavement toward the lights ahead.

Magdalena was naive for thinking that the rally she attends will be all fun and games. She goes because she wants to see Che Guevara speak, but her going puts her in a great amount of danger. Not only herself, but also her friends. Cora ends up needing stitches because she had been pushed down in the street, cracking her head open. Emilia had not wanted to go in the first place, and she should have gone with her instincts. The rally turns into a riot, and many people were hurt. One even shot. Magdalena will forever be scarred for the way the police man touched her, she will remember this day forever.

"We hugged one another, wanting to reach the warmth and comfort of our homes, but in need of one another" (112).

Cora, Magdalena and Emilia are very close friends. They feel as if they are each other's family, because they each have a lack-there-of.

Ethereal- Characterized by lightness and insubstantiality; intangible.
"There was an ethereal quality to Lilita's room" (116). Her room looked very delicate to Magdalena; simple.