Before I watched the lecture video for Cartucho, I was feeling very overwhelmed of the book. I found the book easy to read, but very difficult to comprehend and follow, if that makes sense. But after watching the video lecture, I felt a sense of ease when Professor Beasley-Murray said that the book being difficult to comprehend was all part of the game that the book portrays. Campobello assumes that the readers already know what she’s talking about in her narratives, so she doesn’t provide much background on each character that she introduces. Professor also mentioned that being narrated in the eyes of the child is also part of the game.
I’d like to answer the question on the video lecture with regards to the effects of adopting the point of view of a young girl. I believe that the book clearly shows how a situation or traumatic events do have different impact on the child, as well as bring out the maturity within them. They might be unable to remember the specific details of certain events, like the names of whoever their parents were talking to, or specific information that were too difficult for them to comprehend, but major traumatic events definitely has an impact on their brains. One example that I could think of is how Campobello have different interpretation of the images of the dead people in front of their house, or how she was vividly able to describe the sight of her mother tending to the medical needs of those soldiers. I think that’s why Campobello was able to clearly remember these memories, because the sights are too traumatic for a child to experience.
One last thing I want to mention here on my blog is Campobello’s Mama, Rafaela Luna. One of the things that I definitely followed and clearly understood in this book is the strength and perseverance that Rafaela had all throughout the book. I admired her strength when soldiers invaded their home looking for firearms, but she didn’t seem to be moved by it, as long as the soldiers don’t touch her children. But this strength didn’t only shine through when enemies were around, she also portrayed this when she was helping out those who were in desperate need of medical care. She was strong, yet sympathetic towards those who are seriously injured, even if the ones she’s taking care of are from the enemies side. Therefore, I do find Rafaela Luna’s character very admirable.
My question for you is, who’s character in the book stood out for you the most?