Freedom and Responsibility

Although Isabel understands that as the oldest daughter her duty is to take care of the family when her mother is sick, she cannot help but resent the new demands placed on her. In the first chapter, Castañeda writes, "She was the oldest child. She had duties. She was already at an age where marriage was expected, not idle desires to become a teacher. Sometimes, however, the duties were too much for her. She didn't feel smart enough or old enough to handle everything. Not yet, anyway." As Manuela's condition worsens, Isabel feels ashamed, because rather than being concerned only for her mother, she is filled with feelings of resentment and despair. When Eziquel, the healer, tells Manuela how lucky she is to have a daughter such as Isabel to take care of things, Isabel reels: "His words opened for Isabel the floodgate of...