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Genre 

Family Epic

Narrator 

Multiple narrators and perspectives, shifting between and within chapters

Climax 

The family's flight from the Dominican Republic is the turning point that shatters the extended family and causes the daughters' psychological damage.

Protagonist 

The four Garcia sisters equally share the role of protagonist

Antagonist 

The challenges of immigration are the antagonists, from family conflicts to cultural readjustments

Point of view 

The point of view shifts between numerous characters, both those within the Garcia family and others

Falling action 

The sisters' childhood memories of the Dominican Republic conclude the novel and provide falling action from the climax of leaving the Island.

Tense 

The present tense is used to narrate moments of particular tension or crisis, and the past tense is used throughout the rest of the narrative.

Foreshadowing 

Because the novel is presented in reverse chronological order, foreshadowing often happens in reverse. For instance, Yolanda's experience with the kitten in Chapter 15 foreshadows her leaving the Island in Chapter 11, but the reader doesn't learn of this moment until after hearing about the family's last day on the Island.

Tone 

The tone shifts frequently, depending on the narrative perspective. Often a casual, intimate tone is used when told from one of the sister's perspectives.

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