The Line of the Sun: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Line of the Sun: Analysis of Major Characters" explores the intricate relationships and cultural identities of its central characters, primarily through the lens of Marisol, the protagonist and first-person narrator. Marisol's narrative is shaped by the recollections of her family, particularly her uncle Gusmán, whose wild and adventurous spirit serves as a catalyst for her understanding of her dual heritage. Gusmán's quest to find the spiritist Rosa and the dynamics of his family history contribute significantly to Marisol's personal growth and her development as a writer.
Marisol's mother, Ramona, represents the connection to their island culture, struggling with assimilation while embodying the complexities of immigrant life in America. Her father, Rafael, contrasts this by easily assimilating into American society, attempting to distance the family from their Puerto Rican roots. The character of Rosa, a spiritist, adds another layer to the narrative, illustrating the search for identity amidst cultural tensions. Each character's journey intertwines with themes of belonging, cultural duality, and the impact of familial legacies, offering insights into the challenges faced by individuals navigating multiple identities. This overview invites readers to delve deeper into the text’s exploration of these rich character dynamics and cultural themes.
The Line of the Sun: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Judith Ortiz Cofer
First published: 1989
Genre: Novel
Locale: Salud, Puerto Rico, and Paterson, New Jersey
Plot: Bildungsroman
Time: The 1930's to the 1960's
Marisol (MAH-ree-sohl), the protagonist and first-person narrator. Her story actually begins years before her birth, with the recalling of episodes involving her uncle Gusmán, her grandparents, and her father and mother. These events lead up to her birth and growth into a young woman. She admits at the end of the novel to having created parts of the story from her imagination. Her interpretation of events and imaginary additions clearly reflect the development of her own character.
Gusmán (gews-MAHN), Marisol's uncle. The story begins with his childhood. Other members of the family have considered Gusmán reckless and wild from birth. From being an uncontrollable child, he grows into an unconventional adult with the life's goal of finding the disreputable spiritist Rosa. His real and invented history and finally his heroic actions at the time of tragedy in Paterson are catalytic to Marisol's understanding of her dual culture and the self she creates through her writing.
Ramona, Marisol's mother. She first appears as the older sister of Gusmán. Her courtship and her marriage to Rafael in Salud are traced forward to Marisol's birth. She remains the constant link to Marisol's island culture. Ramona never assimilates into American life, first re-creating her homeland within the structure of El Building and later succumbing to her life as a “prisoner,” isolated from the community she loves by a home in the suburbs. She eventually returns to Salud after her husband's death.
Rafael Santacruz, Marisol's father. He is blond and fair-skinned, and when he wears his Navy uniform, Marisol describes him as looking like an American sailor. Stationed at the Brooklyn Navy yard, he chooses to locate the family in Paterson as a safer alternative to New York City. He assimilates easily into affluent America and attempts to separate his family from its Latin culture. He is unable to effect much change because his visits with the family are so short. He sees that the children receive their education at Saint Jerome's, where they are the only Puerto Rican students.
Rosa, a spiritist, or medium, called La Cabra (she-goat) by those who suspect her of wrongdoing. She is sought for potions and predictions of the future. Mamá Cielo takes Gusmán to Rosa to have his demons exorcised; ironically, he becomes possessed by his love for her. She has a daughter, Sarita, who much later becomes a religious zealot back in Puerto Rico and whom Gusmán eventually marries.