Dreams and Spirituality are very apparent in the novel. They are used as guides to lead the characters and provide them with hope during troubling times of need. Both Micaela and Miriam have been shown to experience dreams but for the sake of this argument, the main focus will be on Micaela’s spirituality and dreams. Micaela, like Miriam, has had a hard and long life but she is very in touch with her religion even during the times that would make someone lose their faith. At the peak of Micaela’s introduction to religion, she was going to the parties her people had in celebration of the gods and goddesses. During one of these moments, she was said to have been “spinning her body into the services of Anaísa” (Lara 66). Offering your body up to a god has been shown to be a monumental role and is often seen as an ultimate form of connection to said God. Micaela is connected to the goddess Anaísa to the point where she can find her or something that signifies her in her everyday life. This shows that despite the constant struggles, Micaela will always be in tune with her spirituality.
Dreams also play a significant role in the novel. Through dreams we can see how the characters cope with death, trauma, and separation. When Micaela and Miriam are forced into prostitution both take to their dreams in order to cope. There is one particular moment where Micaela dreams of her father claiming she is “ready to go to Guinee” (175). Guinee is referenced multiple times and is said to be their religions version of Heaven. This shows that while Micaela wants to die and move on, she still has some faith. She believes she will go to Guinee and be where her brother is, believes she will have peace in the afterlife and furthermore prove she is still in touch with her religion. To solidify this point, the dream version of her father tells Micaela, “the path is not ready for you. You must go back (175). Micaela takes this dream as a sign from the Gods to hold on and keep going then proceeds to wake up and has a little more strength to carry on. Dreams like this are the character’s way of coping but are simultaneously their way of staying in touch with their spirituality and religion.
Spirituality and dreams act as motivators as well as coping mechanisms for the characters in their long and bumpy journey.
Works Cited:
Ana-Maurine Lara, Erzulie’s Skirt. Redbone Press, 2006.
I really love how you connected Micaela’s spirituality and dreams to her resilience in such a powerful way! You’ve done a great job of showing how these elements are more than just coping mechanisms—they’re actually sources of strength for her. The idea of Micaela’s connection to Anaísa, especially through the physical act of offering herself to the goddess, is such a strong symbol of her deep faith, even when life is at its hardest. This really ties everything together, showing that even in the most difficult moments, Micaela finds a way to hold on and keep going.
Well done! I love the ending point you make where spirituality serves both as a grounding technique in difficult times as well as a reminder of the character’s goals and aspirations. This is something I loved in particular about the novel as it is relatable. Whether someone is spiritual or not, I find that aspirations themselves can be used as a grounding technique, or a reminder rather, to persevere during setbacks. As you said, this is true for both characters, but I also enjoyed your emphasis on Micaela.