Israel Desir Form 5-C

1. Who is the narrator of the novel?   (1)

The narrator of the novel ‘Breath, Eyes, Memory’ is Sophie Caco.

2. What point of view is used by the author and why is it effective? (1)

The Point of View is in the First Person with Sophie being the narrator of the story.

Therefore, the use of the first-person point of view makes this character distinctive, allowing

readers to hear only her thoughts and see only through her perspective. This allows the author

to further penetrate and analyze psychological viewpoints and motifs with her work.

3. What is the setting of the work? (place and time) (2)

The story is set in two places: Croix-des-Rosets in Haiti and Brooklyn in New York. The story

spans through the 1980s to the early 1990s.

4. Identify three main and three minor characters in the work. (3)

Three main characters in ‘Breath, Eyes, Memory’ are Sophie, Martine and Tante Atie.

Three minor characters are Marc, Monsieur and Madame Augustin.

5. Who is the protagonist of the work? (1)

Sophie Caco is the protagonist of the story.

6. Briefly describe each element of the plot in the work: Exposition, main conflict, rising

action, climax, falling action, resolution (12)

 The exposition of ‘Breath, Eyes, Memory’ takes place in Haiti. It begins when Tante Atie

refuses Sophie’s Mother’s Day card. Soon after, we learn of the potluck dinner; at which

other characters are introduced and we learn that Sophie has been sent a ticket to join her

mother in New York. This leads to the rising action.

The story revolves around the conflict between the ghosts of Martine’s past and how it

affects the life of Sophie Caco, her daughter and the protagonist. The traditions of the Caco

family and the imposing expectations of the Haitian Society on women forms the foundation

of this conflict, as our protagonist fights for the freedom of herself and daughter from these

tainted values. For instance, Sophie is seen regarding testing as “the worst experience of

her life” and openly confronts Grandma Ife and Martine about it. This gives birth to the

salient contrast ‘Tradition vs Modern’ and many of the story’s themes such as the mother-

daughter relationship and generational trauma.

The Rising Action occurs during Sophie’s stay with Martine in Brooklyn. Many conflicts

and contrasts are revealed between the two, with the salient factor being that Martine will

only allow Sophie to live according to her terms. Tensions start to arise between the two

with the introduction of Joseph and Sophie’s love for him. However, the distress reaches its

zenith when Martine starts testing Sophie. This causes Sophie to elope with Joseph to

escape for 2 years. After these years, Sophie confronts Martine about the testing and they

return to America.

The climax of the story is when Martine commits suicide after becoming pregnant in

chapter 35. This is caused by the nightmares she experiences about the new child. She

grew increasingly demented, trying many types of folk ways to abort the child until the

thought of clinical abortion worsened these nightmares.

The falling action occurs when Sophie returns to Haiti for her mother’s funeral. Here

Sophie decides to work on her pent-up emotions, as Grandma Ife and Tante Atie mourn her

death with floods of tears. The falling action transitions quickly into the resolution.
 The resolution of the story occurs when Sophie confronts the cane field where Martine

was raped. She beats and rips the cane, as if it was a manifestation of Sophie’s and

Martine’s Ghosts. After this, she realizes that she’s been freed from the fear and anxiety

concerning Martine’s life.

7. Identify three themes in the work. (3)

Three salient themes in the piece are: Home, Generational trauma, and the Mother-Daughter

relationship.

8. Briefly describe one instance in which each theme is presented in the examined work.

(6)

Firstly, the theme of home is masterfully expressed by complicating the character’s

perception of the concept. In the book, the questions of “what” or “where is home?” are

observed within the psyche of the characters. For instance, in chapter 6; Sophie leaves Haiti

at the age of 12 to go to New York. In which she struggles to adapt to the life without the

family and friends she left behind.

Secondly, the theme of generational trauma is illustrated by the conflicts within the Caco

family. “Testing” is the traditional practice that has scarred the daughters of Grandma Ife

and our protagonist, Sophie. For example, in chapter 12; Sophie gets tested by Martine in

Brooklyn and regards the experience as “the worst in her life”. Sophie breaks her own

hymen to be free of her mother’s testing, displaying the extent to which she detests it.

Finally, the Mother-daughter relationship is shown as Sophie undertakes the ghosts of

her mother’s past. This theme displays the deep connection between the toils of Martine

with the life of Sophie and paints the two as foils of each other. To illustrate, Sophie doubles
 in Chapter 30 and imagines that she lying with her mother; consoling her and freeing her

from her nightmares.

9. Identify two symbols in the novel and explain the effectiveness of each. (6)

Firstly, the Marassa are described as twin lovers, so inseparable that they share the

same soul. This allusion to Haitian Culture is frequently compared to the relationship between

Sophie and her Mother, Martine. For instance, in Chapter 11; Martine directly compares the two

by saying to Sophie, “You and I, we could be like Marasas”. Hence, the effectiveness of the

symbolic Marassa stems from its ability to paint Sophie and Martine as foils of each other;

illustrating their emotional struggles as inextricably close to themselves and each other. The

emotional bridge of the Marassa clarifies why the ghosts of Martine’s past had haunted Sophie

and why Sophie had thought of her mother when ‘doubling’.

Secondly, daffodils are a relevant symbol in the novel. The bright yellow flower is seen

as Martine’s favourite in Haiti, because they thrived even after being brought to a foreign place.

Thus, they represent resilience and the ability to prosper in a strange land; where they are not

supposed to. This was the quality that drew Martine to them, showing that she shared this

belief. However, after moving to New York due to her rape, she grows tired of daffodils.

Similarly, this shows that she grows tired of this belief, and as she discards her love for

daffodils; she discards their hope, happiness and tenacity.

In summary, the Marassa are used to create an emotional bridge between the two main

characters- Sophie and Martine- and paint them as foils of each other. Daffodils symbolize hope

in a foreign land, especially for Martine who discards this hope as she discards her love for

dafodils.
 10. Identify two motifs in the novel and explain the effectiveness of each. (6)

A salient motif in the novel is parallelism and Haitian culture. Scenarios or characters

are constantly augmented with Haitian parables and to enrich the event with deeper meanings,

truths and themes. For example, voodoo tales of the Marassas are invoked over the voodoo

practice of doubling in Chapter 12. These overlapping allusions add depth to the scene by

juxtaposing the Marassas, symbols of indivisible love; with testing, a process of unbearable

anguish. Meaningful abstractions are artfully placed to add complexity to the simplest of actions,

and intricacy to the shortest of words in a style that link these instances back to Haiti and its

cultural novelties.

Another motif in this the idea that virginity is a construct of female purity. Though

pervasive, the Haitian obsession with female purity is annulled by Danticat. For example,

Grandma Ife frequently ‘tested’ Martine and Atie to guard their virginity, their “purity” and

“readiness for a man”. This displays that their bodies were treated as “symbols of honor”, whose

purpose and worth was decided by their society. The residuals of this is apparent in Sophie’s

inability to have sex without ‘doubling’, a tool of safety for escaping the painful present. Put

shortly, the idea that virginity is a construct of female purity is challenged by Danticat, through

the display of its consequences upon the Caco family. This view creates an antagonistic figure,

firstly in the form of an impelling society (Man vs. Society) and later manifests itself as a self-

critical mindset (Man vs himself) upon these women.

11. Identify two examples of irony in the novel and explain the effectiveness of each. (6)

The first irony deals with the Tonton Macoutes. They are menaces to Haitians who

operate without moral compass and outside of laws or social norms. Strangely, these mavericks

are dubbed as ‘bogeymen’ in the eyes of their victims. This is ironic because ‘bogeymen’ are

mythical creatures used by adults to frighten children into following rules. Therefore, this

description dubbing the Macoutes as enforcers of justice and order is wholly inaccurate and
ironic. Furthermore, the Tonton Macoutes indiscriminately capitalize on the public, neither siding

with adult or child alike. Hence, this is an adeptly placed irony revealing the superstitious angle

of Haitian citizens; to the extent that the precision of their stories is sometimes lost within their

creative connotations.

The second example of irony in the novel is seen when Sophie returns to Haiti. Her

grandmother states Brigitte looks like Martine. This is ironic because Sophie looks nothing like

her relatives and she always felt out of place because of it. Martine had difficulty accepting that

Sophie looked like her rapist instead of herself. However, Brigitte does not look like the rapist or

Sophie but instead looks like Martine. This irony is effective at showing that Brigitte is truly a

Caco woman, who will not have to go through many of the struggles Sophie went through such

as difficulties conforming because of dissimilarities. Moreover, regarding the pain Martine felt

because of her daughter’s resemblance to her rapist; Brigitte’s resemblance to her can make

Brigitte seem like the daughter she always wanted. Hence, Brigitte can be seen as Martine’s

redemption. She can be seen as the redemption of the Caco family from Generational bondage

and trauma.

12. Do a character sketch of two main characters in the work. (at least three traits) (6)

Sophie Caco is the protagonist of the story. Firstly, she is seen as a thoughtful person. To

illustrate, she had made a Mother’s-day card for her Tante Atie.

Secondly, she strives for independence as she grows older, but struggles with her family’s rigid

expectations for her career and love life. This causes her to elope with Joseph to Providence.

Finally, Sophie is continually pensive about the struggles suffered by her mother and the

traditions of the Caco family. These pains become the antagonistic figure of the novel; as

Sophie fights the ghosts of her mother’s past and her own personal trauma simultaneously.

Martine Caco is a hardworking woman who wants the best for her child, Sophie.
However, her psychological wounds affect her relationship with her.

Firstly, she has become emotionally demented because a brutal rape she experienced as a

teenager. This causes fear and worry to drive many of her decisions; causing her to move to

New York in search of a better life.

This brings us to our second characteristic: her identity crisis. Martine feels burdened by her

Haitian past and tries to cut her roots by using bleaching cream, or discarding things she

previously loved like daffodils.

Finally, Martine is insecure and fears becoming a victim again like she did when she was raped

or when tested. She is heard saying “I live both the rape and the testing everyday”, showing

how deep and chronic these wounds are. Therefore, she becomes controlling of her daughter’s

love for Joseph -to prevent further loss- and commits suicide when pregnant because she can

only see the image of her rapist in the child and wants to avoid reliving her rape.

13. Provide a more detailed character sketch of one of the characters above using the chart
below. You must fill in at least four of the methods of characterization. (10)

Character examined: __Martine___

Method of Quote from Explanation of how this
characterization Character Trait the text that textual evidence supports
proves that the argument that the
the character possesses this
character trait.
has this trait.

These quotes display that

Martine believes that Sophie
Words (what “She is too is too naïve to know what to
characters say) Martine is forceful and young to do with her own life. Thus,
imposes her own know what Martine is she assumes her
desires for Sophie’s she wants to
desires for Sophie will make
future be”
her happier than Sophie’s
“You are desires for herself.
going to be a
 doctor”

Martine tries to hinder

Sophie’s growing “The next Even at 18, Martine is seen
Actions (what sexual attraction night, after severely discouraging
characters do) towards the opposite seeing excursions by Sophie that she
sex by constantly Joseph, I did not put in place. She uses
came home
testing her and trying to testing as a punitive measure
to find my
establish herself as the and a caveat against her
mother with a
only dynamic figure in belt in hand.” naturally blooming awareness
Sophie’s life. She feels towards men. This is
that this is best for “She made especially true for Sophie’s
Sophie, displaying her me lie on my affection towards Joseph.
habit of forcing her bed and
desires onto her child. tested me”

“She would
still test me
every week to
ensure I was
still whole”

Martine feels threatened “You would Martine establishes

How characters by Sophie’s budding leave me for unreasonable ultimatums upon
react in situations awareness of men. She an old man Sophie’s life, describing
with other feels that those who you Sophie’s growing sexual
characters. emotions will take her didn’t know interest in Joseph as an
daughter away from her the year ‘abandonment’ of her Mother.
and she will become a before”
She is of the view that
victim once again. Sophie’s pining for Joseph is
“You are
giving up a at the expense of a lifetime
lifetime with with herself. Thus, she
me” becomes the miser of Sophie’s
time and activity; constantly
testing her to allay this sexual
interest. In addition to this,
Martine becomes increasingly
indignant towards Sophie’s
sexual desire for Joseph.
 Martine is thin and “Her face was Martine is seen by Sophie as
scrawny long and much thinner and
Physical hollow” malnourished than she did in
appearance her photo back in Haiti. This
“Her scrawny surprises Sophie. Moreover,
body this decline in health may be a
shivered” psychological effect of her
rape and hardworking life in
New York

14. Analyze an example of each of the following devices:

A. Metaphor

A metaphor is a direct comparison between two objects without the use of “like” or “as”.

In chapter 2, Tante Atie is seen telling Sophie “We are a family with dirt under our fingernails.”

This metaphor uses vivid visual imagery to elicit an image of dirty hands working on the land.

The metaphor is used to denote a life of labour among the Caco family and the absence of

luxury. Put shortly, Atie is trying to tell Sophie that the family is not rich, luxurious, or educated.

She continuous on to state that they were “daughters of the hills”, showing that they were deeply

connected to the land around them.

B. Simile

A simile is a direct comparison between two objects using “like” or “as”.

In chapter 9, Sophie starts learning English but states that “The first English words I read

sounded like rocks falling a stream.” This simile is imbued with auditory imagery; displaying

loud, dissonant and discorded words. Moreover, this simile is effective at creating a visual sense

of her sound; comparing it to an abrupt crash, rippling away the prior silence. Put simply, this
simile uses excellent visual and auditory imagery to display the lack of eloquence in Sophie’s

English.

C. Character Foil

The foil character is used to highlight particular qualities of another character by juxtaposition.

In the novel, Sophie and Martine are painted as identical foils of each other. For instance, Both

Sophie and Martine suffer from sexual phobias because of testing.

However, these characters contrast in their response to this traumatic stimulus. Sophie- unlike

Martine- refuses to test her daughter and struggles to become free from the traditional bounds

of the Caco family. This forms many of the story’s fundamental contrasts: ‘Traditional vs

Modern’, ‘Expectation vs reality’ and even ‘Haiti vs the USA’. She becomes ever more pensive

about her sexual life and tries to confront the ghosts of her mother’s past, which have become

accumulated within herself. This is seen when Sophie breaks the cane at the field of her

mother’s rape, symbolic of her breaking the chains of her family’s trauma in Chapter 35

Inversely, Martine tries to escape the traumas of her past. Martine- unlike Sophie- has lost the

tenacity, and persistence to face the ghosts of her past. She instead hides from them, showing

a passive aversion towards anything reminding her of Haiti or the rape. This is inextricably close

to her discarded love of daffodils, therefore of hope, and of resilience. It is urge to escape her

reality that lead to her suicide in the same Chapter of 35, where Sophie conversely destroyed

the restraints of her own past.