Song Of The Water Saints Summary

In Nelly Rosario’s book “Song of the Water Saints”, Rosario write about this five generation Dominican family starring Graciela and her mother Mai, following by her daughter Mercedes, then Mercedes’s daughter Amalfi and finally Lelia, Amalfi’s daughter. One sees similar conflicts with each mother-daughter duo. Therefore, showing how unstable Mother and Daughters relationships were due to different values in each generation valued. Rosario shows the strict relationship between Graciela and her mother Mai. After not bring the groceries that Mai send her to buy, Graciela was beaten by Mai; “Mai whacked her daughter on the back with a cooking spoon, squeezed the tender cartilage of her ears, wove her claws into Graciela’s knotted hair …You beat her good so she learns, Mai said to Pai “(Rosario 16-17). Mai had beaten Graciela because of her irresponsibility. She had sent her to buy sugar and didn’t return after two hours later and to make matter worst, she came without the requested sugar. Mai’s ability to hurt Graciela demonstrate …show more content…
Mercedes told Amalfi and her brother Ismael that they were going to the United States to have a better life over there. The day of their departure, Mercedes, Andres, Mercedes’ husband, Amalfi, and Ismael has a conversation; “You’re softening up on us Andres said when Mercedes quit trying to control their daughter… You need to go, for us, the future, Lelia, Mercedes said and rubbed Amalfi’s back” (Rosario 192-196). Mercedes was sending her children to United state while she stayed to care for baby Lelia. Mercedes’ willingness to take care of Leila while her mom was trying to make a future for herself shows how she cares for her daughter and she shows it by her action. This act of sacrifice of Mercedes demonstrates how she would do anything her children to have a better life. Therefore, demonstrating more affections and sacrificing willing mother and daughter