Summary Of Melinda Palacios 'Ocotillo Dreams'

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The novel Ocotillo Dreams written by Melinda Palacios focuses on the Isolas journey where she is challenged mentally by taking over her mothers estate while she discovers her late mothers secret life of helping immigrants in Chandler, Arizona. In Chandler, her mother, Marina, discovered a postcard which states “Welcome to Chandler, Az, Where Ocotillo Dreams Come True”, where the repetition of the Ocotillo flower is introduced. The Ocotillo flower symbolizes adaptation, resilience, and beauty. Furthermore, bees and hummingbirds are known to feed on the nectar that is produced by the Ocotillo flower. Marina herself is an Ocotillo flower and the people she helps are seen as the bees and hummingbirds, which is shown with her resilience in helping …show more content…

This is shown when Isola noticed a postcard on the table “Isola recognized her mothers favorite postcard a mile away, Welcome to Chandler, Az, Where Ocotillo Dreams Come True. As usual, her mother was brief. Writing only a single sentence: “How are you Mija?” I need you, Isola thought. Palacio 75. Initially, the single sentence feels broad and not personal, however, the postcard with the ocotillo flowers represents her mother's presence and beauty. Additionally, the use of the same postcard time after time shows vulnerability because it circles all of Isolas thoughts to her mother, feeling a wave of her mother and who she was. Furthermore, Isola stating “I need you” about her mother, shows vulnerability because throughout the novel, Isola is shown as independent and reserved, so for the reader to see a different perspective of her allows for a place of vulnerability. Moreover, the repetition and the symbolism of the ocotillo plays an important role in the novel that displays femininity. Isola remembering a dream that Cruz had in the novel where the Ocotillo has a prominent role “Isola got a chill down her back thinking about Cruz's

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