Are the attempts of the mothers in Chulavista to conceal their daughters’ identities, and to hide their beauty once adolescence makes that impossible, doomed? Is there a way for the girls to remain safe in their village?

To what extent is Ladydi’s professed love for Julio merely infatuation? What life experiences and cultural factors set the tone for their relationship’s power dynamic?

Is Rita a “good mother” to Ladydi? Use evidence from the novel to discuss the complexities of motherhood in the novel, both in terms of protection and violence.