"And Of Clay Are We Created" Story Analysis

"And Of The Clay We Are Created"

Story Analysis

Themes

Life is short.

Eva Luna

You don't always get a happy ending.

Anything that matters is worth trying to save.

Literary Devices

Eva is very close to Rolf even though she is not with him physically. (Direct)

Examples from the text

• "Nonetheless, I was there with him" (253)
• "I could reach him by force of mind and in that way gave him encouragement" (253)

Eva is a very sympathetic person who feels for both Rolf and Azucena. (Indirect)

• "I would run to the newsroom to monitor the satellite transmissions that periodically brought new details of the catastrophe".

"I was so drained I felt as if I were staring through a telescope at the light of a star dead for a million years".

• "Deaf to the moaning of the earth." (Personification) (249)
• "Curling them like waves of foam." (simile) (248)
• "She sank slowly, like a flower in the mud." (Metaphor) (259)
• "With the first light Rolf tried again to dislodge the obstacles that held the girl in her tomb..." (Foreshadowing) (254)
• "Eyes wide open, calling soundlessly." (Imagery) (248)

Rolf's Factoids

Eva's Factoids

• Rolf's name is a derivative of several other names; all of which mean 'wolf'.

Bibliography

• Eva is derived from the Latin form of Eve, which is derived from a Hebrew name meaning "life".

"The Organic Gardener." : Madonna Lily Flower. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Sept. 2013.

"Arctic Wolf Cub Looks Sad by *Allerlei on DeviantART." Arctic Wolf Cub Looks Sad by *Allerlei on DeviantART. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Sept. 2013.

"Moon." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 09 Sept. 2013. Web. 08 Sept. 2013.

• Wolves are known for their intelligence, curiosity and loyalty.

• That name is suitable for her because Rolf dies emotionally and Azucena dies physically.

• Luna is used in reference to the moon; the moon is always watching. Luna is watching the whole thing on the television. Therefore, she saw everything.

• Wolves are furthermore known to mourn for their dead, especially if they're young.

• Luna could also refer to the "tide" of the story. (the flood/avalanche)

Plot

Exposition:

• The ascent of the story encompasses the beginning up until Rolf's meeting with Azucena.

Rolf Carlé

Complication:

• The story complicates further from the point of the first meeting, onward toward the time when both Rolf and Azucena have come to the realization that she will die.

pg. 250

Climax:

Direct Characterization:

• "Nothing could stop [Rolf]... nothing could shake his fortitude."
• "[Rolf]... was determined to snatch [Azucena] from death."

• The actual peak of the tale is somewhat debatable; however, when Rolf cries would be most probable as the actual climax.

pgs. 251-252

Falling Action:

• The death of Azucena marks the descent of the plot; the reader already knew she would die and that fact is finalized during this time.

pg. 254

Resolution:

Indirect Characterization:

• "[Rolf] did not dare use a tool for fear of injuring [Azucena]."

i.e. careful, precautious

• "Rolf tried to sing Azucena to sleep..."

i.e. fatherly, comforting

pg. 255

• The irrefutable conclusion of this narrative has to be when Eva Luna is speaking directly to Rolf and tells him that she will wait for him to complete his internal journey.

Azucena

Indirect Characterization:

• '"Don't worry we'll get you out of here," Rolf promised... Azucena looked at him, but said nothing.' pg. 251

This symbolizes her loss of naïvety.

• '"Don't cry, I don't hurt anymore. I'm fine."' pg. 257

Azucena is brave, she is not scared of death.

Azucena's Factoids

• "Azucena" is a Spanish given name meaning "madonna lily".

• Madonna lilies are most often associated with the Virgin Mary, purity and virtue.

Direct Characterization:

• "... [Azucena] had never been outside her village." pg. 252
• "[Azucena's] tone was humble..." pg. 254

• Lilies have also been known to symbolize restored innocence for a soul after death.

• "Gild the lily" is a term meaning "to adorn something unnecessarily".