In “Real Women Have Curves,” we see Ana who is not happy with her place in society. I think she is in search for her identity. She wants to be in control of her life in other words her destiny. Her mom degrades her but only because she envies her. Don’t get me wrong, her mom does want the best for her but culture and religion once again play a huge role in the protagonist life. We discussed in class how the mother felt that Ana was obligated to work and help the family. Ana wants out of this so in the beginning Ana doesn’t know what she is in search of but she’s in search of that space that she can belong to, “Un espacio que sea de ella” which is why she seems desperate and frustrated. There are two spaces she belongs to. The factory and her home. But these two places are an isolation for her. She’s ashamed and embarrassed of the factory she has to work in. She seems selfish but only because she wants to do better. She’s been educated so why not continue if the opportunity is knocking at her door.
A scene that I thought was very important was when the grandfather, father, and Ana were sitting at the table talking. Here we see three generations. The grandfather who has gone and done what he’s needed to do and is satisfied and then the father who came to the US for a better life and Ana who is able to liberate all of them from the stereotypical name. When the grandfather tells Ana that he found his gold and now it’s time for her to find hers….I think it is here where Ana starts to truly accept who she is but at the same time realizes that it’s time to make a change because change isn’t always bad.
