This week I read the novel Aunt Maria. Even Though the beginning and pace of the novel came
off a little slow, I appreciated the premise of overcoming life obstacles and taking on
hard situations. Aunt Maria’s archetype not only signified as a hero, but also as a caregiver.
Her character treats difficult relationships and abuses of power. The main character, Mig,
off a little slow, I appreciated the premise of overcoming life obstacles and taking on
hard situations. Aunt Maria’s archetype not only signified as a hero, but also as a caregiver.
Her character treats difficult relationships and abuses of power. The main character, Mig,
and her older brother Chris face a parental breakup, then their mother's total subjection to their
great-aunt. The stresses of life given with Aunt Maria are developed in a suspenseful story which
includes a ghostly apparition and other paranormal phenomena. Although the happenings are
often improbable, Mig and Chris are believable characters who face real life situations that most
people can relate to such as heartbreak, abandonment, or living through a divorce.
Aunt Maria is characterized as the "Great Dictator," the "Queen of Cranbury," and the
"Female Pope." Even though she gives the impression of being lonely, helpless, and
kind, she rules with an iron hand through provocation of guilt, disapproving suggestion,
and her magical powers. The most unique part of the story was that If Anyone does not
obey her every command, they may be transformed into an animal or even an object. This
concept shows power in women, and control over society. A reference to Aunt Maria would be the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella story, where she is the magical force that pushes the main
"Female Pope." Even though she gives the impression of being lonely, helpless, and
kind, she rules with an iron hand through provocation of guilt, disapproving suggestion,
and her magical powers. The most unique part of the story was that If Anyone does not
obey her every command, they may be transformed into an animal or even an object. This
concept shows power in women, and control over society. A reference to Aunt Maria would be the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella story, where she is the magical force that pushes the main
character to move forward and guide them away from life obstacles.
I agree that it's interesting how the children in the book are faced with very real issues. We are pushed to relate to them through their struggles as well as the way that the story is presented subjectively. Mig is writing directly to the reader in a way. And the story even draws attention to this through talking about her going back and re-writing. This lets the reader know that the tale is being shaped and re-shaped through what she believes to be true. We know what the character "remembers". I think it's an interesting choice for the writing style.
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