“Mama,” he said without thinking, “tell me again about the kids in the Big House.”“Don’t call me ‘Mama’,” snapped Celia.
Farmer, (11).
In Matt’s early life from age 0-6, one of the most important people in his life is undoubtedly, Celia. Chapter 2 clearly establishes that Celia is Matt’s caregiver and has been in his life since his earliest memories. Only the two of them inhabit the little shack. When Celia must leave for work, Matt stays at home immersed in solitude. However, upon her return, she brings for him little toys and playthings, like crayons, then cooks him dinner. Afterwards, Celia performs the nightly routine of carrying Matt to bed, tucking him in, and lighting the holy candle that was situated in front of the Virgin of Guadalupe. “No matter how tired Celia was - and sometimes she almost fell over with exhaustion - she never neglected this ritual.”
Following this and other events, Matt is trapped in an empty room in the servants’ quarter. Once again, he faces isolation and lonesomeness. However this time there are much harsher conditions. Throughout the entire experience, Matt’s mind always wanders back to Celia and makes connections of memories with her. He even fears that she has forgotten him. “And gradually it came to him that Celia had forgotten him, that she was never going to rescue him from this prison. The idea was so painful, Matt thrust it from his mind. He refused to think about her, or when he did, he quickly thought of something else to drive her image from his mind. After a while he forgot what she looked like, except for in dreams.”
When Celia and Maria do discover Matt’s whereabouts for the first time, Matt doesn’t even let himself believe that they are real and not an illusion; almost like he's trying to save himself from the disappointment. Celia becomes outraged at Matt’s condition and his living condition. She even plans to seek a small form of revenge for him.
It is clear from the very beginning of the novel that Matt is the protagonist. Because the book is separated into chapters based on the stages of his life, inferring that Matt will also be a round, dynamic character is very realistic. When connecting Matt and Celia as well as the events that have happened involving both of them, it is blatant that Matt and Celia love each other with all their hearts. Not only that, but the two have a relationship that is almost like one of a mother and son’s. Matt is completely attached to her, keeping her in his mind throughout his entire experience in the prison.
However, an aspect that is confusing is Celia’s absolute refusal to acknowledge herself as Matt’s mother. She is everything to him but a mother, it seems. Why is Celia holding back? Does it have anything to do with him being a clone? Hopefully the reason to this is revealed later on in the story.
Farmer, (11).
In Matt’s early life from age 0-6, one of the most important people in his life is undoubtedly, Celia. Chapter 2 clearly establishes that Celia is Matt’s caregiver and has been in his life since his earliest memories. Only the two of them inhabit the little shack. When Celia must leave for work, Matt stays at home immersed in solitude. However, upon her return, she brings for him little toys and playthings, like crayons, then cooks him dinner. Afterwards, Celia performs the nightly routine of carrying Matt to bed, tucking him in, and lighting the holy candle that was situated in front of the Virgin of Guadalupe. “No matter how tired Celia was - and sometimes she almost fell over with exhaustion - she never neglected this ritual.”
Following this and other events, Matt is trapped in an empty room in the servants’ quarter. Once again, he faces isolation and lonesomeness. However this time there are much harsher conditions. Throughout the entire experience, Matt’s mind always wanders back to Celia and makes connections of memories with her. He even fears that she has forgotten him. “And gradually it came to him that Celia had forgotten him, that she was never going to rescue him from this prison. The idea was so painful, Matt thrust it from his mind. He refused to think about her, or when he did, he quickly thought of something else to drive her image from his mind. After a while he forgot what she looked like, except for in dreams.”
When Celia and Maria do discover Matt’s whereabouts for the first time, Matt doesn’t even let himself believe that they are real and not an illusion; almost like he's trying to save himself from the disappointment. Celia becomes outraged at Matt’s condition and his living condition. She even plans to seek a small form of revenge for him.
It is clear from the very beginning of the novel that Matt is the protagonist. Because the book is separated into chapters based on the stages of his life, inferring that Matt will also be a round, dynamic character is very realistic. When connecting Matt and Celia as well as the events that have happened involving both of them, it is blatant that Matt and Celia love each other with all their hearts. Not only that, but the two have a relationship that is almost like one of a mother and son’s. Matt is completely attached to her, keeping her in his mind throughout his entire experience in the prison.
However, an aspect that is confusing is Celia’s absolute refusal to acknowledge herself as Matt’s mother. She is everything to him but a mother, it seems. Why is Celia holding back? Does it have anything to do with him being a clone? Hopefully the reason to this is revealed later on in the story.
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