Caramelo, or, Puro Cuento: A Novel Setting & Symbolism

Caramelo, or, Puro Cuento: A Novel Objects/Places

Caramel Rebozo

A rebozo is a Mexican shawl. Throughout this story, the one thing that Soledad and Celaya both admire and love more than anything is the caramel rebozo that Soledad's mother was working on before she died. She never got a chance to finish the shawl, but it was given to Soledad nonetheless when she was sent to live with her aunt. Early on, Celaya notices the shawl and asks if she can have it. When her father tries to buy a silk shawl for Celaya, the grandmother says there is no way a girl like Celaya will ever appreciate such a fine shawl. When the Grandmother dies, the shawl is passed down to Celaya, and she treasures it just as her grandmother did. There is also an interesting parallel between the unfinished rebozo and the flow of the story. The grandmother is constantly braiding and unbraiding the fringes, taking the...
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