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Explanatory Response

In this excerpt there is a conversation going on between Tio Angel, Ama, and Aunt Mercy (Viramontes 166). There is also Turtle in the room, who is a passive participant in the conversation. Turtle comments on few things as well as ask a few questions although he seems to be the main subject of discussion. The whereabouts of the narrator is not clear, although he seem to be in the same room where he observes and reports what is going on. In the conversation there are several interesting quotes that indicate the gravity of their conversation.

The first quote is “where’s your other half?” (Viramontes 167) a question asked to Turtle by Tio. It indicates that Turtle is in a romantic relationship or engagement with someone and Tio is asking the question to know about his whereabouts and to provoke more conversation about him. However, Turtle is not interested in a conversation about her fiancée and passively shrugs of the conversation.

The second quote is Aunt Mercy’s question. She asks “What is with the shaved Head?” (Viramontes 167) referring to Turtles shaved head. When Turtles asks to be told if there is anything wrong with it her Aunt mercy reminds her of Angel baby who had a shaved head, drunk alcohol just like Turtle and ended up killing her fiancée.

These quotes are an indication that Aunt Mercy is concerned with the Change in Turtle and perceives it a change towards becoming murderous. This notion is confirmed by another quote, answere by Aunt Mercy to Turtles questioning of her relating of Angele baby/malfora to her. Aunty mercy states “Bottom-line is maflora shaved her head. That was the start of going bad” (Viramontes 167). This is an indication that Aunty believes the Turtle might kill her fiancée. This bottom line her aunty draws leaves her feeling sad and empty (Viramontes 168).

Work Cited

Viramontes, Helena, M. “Their Dogs Came With Them”