What did you think of Christina’s different relationships with her mother and her grandmother, Mamey?

What did you think of Christina’s different relationships with her mother and her grandmother, Mamey?

I wish Christina's grandmother would have lived longer. She would have encouraged Christina to get the education and to leave. The mother seemed to just settle and didn't have any imagination. Who marries a guy who comes to the door and stays? Maybe there weren't other possibilities for her. And I thought Christina's dad was an opportunist and married to stay there and inherit the property.

Her mother was busy with running the household--she didn't have the time on her hands to indulge in whimsy and tales of long ago world travel. Both women loved her and she knew that--it is one of the benefits of multigenerational households--the older folk have the time to keep the history alive and teach old songs and stories, the younger folk do the chores and keep food on the table and a roof over the head. The child benefits from both.

Christina seemed to relate better to her grandmother, Mamey. Christina’s mother is more practical and seems resigned to her household status and her role as a wife and mother. She doesn’t perpetuate a sense of adventure in Christina nor does she encourage her to continue with her education. Mamey remembers her past and shares it.

I think it is very common to have a wonderful relationship with your grandmother. Mothers are caught up in raising children and what is best for them. Grandmothers have years of experience and perspective to know what matters in a person's life and can look at the big picture for their future.

I think Mamey really saw Christina as a person and knew the potential she had. Her mother was busy with her life and didn't seem to have time to really see Christina as a person with other possibilities. If she had, she might have fought for Christina to continue in school.

I certainly agree with both joycew and Maria S.
Mamey seemed to have experienced love, adventure, and joy in her life. She enjoyed sharing dreams and experiences with Christina. She also appreciated that Christina had a curious and intelligent mind even though her body was handicapped.
Mother was pragmatic and obviously had experienced many disappointments in her life.

It's too bad that Christina's grandmother wasn't around longer. I think Christina's life would have been different if she had been. Her mother was content to keep Christina limited and bound.

Christina's mother was a product of her generation,unable to see past her idea that change is about growing and changing to meet life on life's terms.