50 pages • 1 hour read
Sonia ManzanoThe Revolution of Evelyn Serrano
Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2012A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Character Analysis
Evelyn Serrano
Evelyn Serrano, the protagonist and first-person narrator of The Revolution of Evelyn Serrano, undergoes a profound journey of self-discovery and personal growth as she grapples with her identity, her heritage, and her evolving roles within her community. Initially, Evelyn struggles to reconcile her Puerto Rican roots with her desire to assimilate into American culture. This internal conflict manifests in her aversion to cultural markers and her attempts to conform to Eurocentric standards of beauty and identity. For example, she straightens her hair and adopts “the least Puerto Ricansounding name” she can (14), and her interactions with her family and community are marked by a sense of apathy and frustration. Her internalized biases and societal pressures lead her to distance herself from her Puerto Rican roots, reflecting her deep-seated struggle with self-acceptance and cultural pride.
Through her interactions with her grandmother and her exposure to the activism of the Young Lords, Evelyn gains a deeper understanding of her cultural identity and the transformative power of community mobilization. Initially, she views her grandmother’s arrival with skepticism, perceiving her as a disruptive element in her family dynamics. However, Evelyn soon begins to recognize the significance of her grandmother’s presence and the wisdom she imparts. Abuela’s vibrant personality and unapologetic embrace of her Puerto Rican heritage stand in stark contrast to Evelyn’s initial aversion to her own cultural identity, as well as her mother’s more conservative stance.
Abuela’s presence also serves as a bridge between past and present, helping Evelyn gain new insight into her family’s history and the broader struggles affecting the Puerto Rican community. This exposure sparks her curiosity and leads her to question her own beliefs and assumptions about her heritage and her role in her community. Abuela’s stories about her youth in Puerto Rico, her marriage to Evelyn’s grandfather, and her involvement in activism following the Ponce Massacre illuminate the struggles and triumphs of past Puerto Ricans, shedding light on the forces that have shaped Evelyn’s family’s identity and ongoing tensions.
As the novel unfolds, Evelyn’s journey of self-discovery intertwines with her evolving relationship with her mother and her grandmother. Initially fraught with resentment and misunderstanding, their complex dynamics reflect the unresolved conflicts in their family history. However, despite these obstacles, Evelyn witnesses her mother’s subtle shifts in attitude throughout the novel. Through conversations with Mrs. Serrano and Abuela, Evelyn begins to piece together a more nuanced understanding of her family history. Her mother’s confession about her childhood abandonment by Abuela sheds light on the emotional baggage that she carries, suggesting a willingness to confront the past and move toward reconciliation. These developments offer Evelyn the chance to forge a stronger sense of identity within her complex family history.
Mrs. Serrano
Evelyn’s mother, Mrs. Serrano, initially embodies the weight of domesticity and resignation. Described as “frail and delicate” (11), she maintains a simple appearance, keeping her “light brown hair always pulled into a tight bun” (33). These physical attributes signify her sense of practicality and her reluctance to draw attention to herself. Her lack of makeup, modest style, and practical shoes reflect a life focused on functionality rather than personal expression. Mrs. Serrano is portrayed as a hardworking mother who is dedicated to providing for her family. Running a bodega alongside her husband, Evelyn’s stepfather, she works “seven days a week” (151), and this habit highlights the sacrifices she makes to ensure her family’s well-being.
Despite Mrs. Serrano’s hard work, Evelyn often refers to her mother as a “slave,” and her incendiary word choice emphasizes the burden that Mrs. Serrano carries as she manages household responsibilities and cares for others while neglecting her own needs. Evelyn’s words reflect her perception of her mother’s subservient role within their household and society at large, showing her frustration with her mother’s traditional expectations and the limitations she willingly accepts. Evelyn is particularly critical of her mother’s passivity, citing her behavior toward their landlord as an example of how averse to conflict Mrs. Serrano is.
Evelyn also notices that Mrs. Serrano is “always covering up what she didn’t want to see, or putting something pretty on top of something ugly” (11). Evelyn sees these attempts as an attempt to mask underlying issues. By using these expressions, Evelyn suggests that her mother’s actions, such as spending hours crocheting decorative rugs, are pointless attempts to hide or mitigate the challenges they face. However, by meticulously caring for the family’s home, Mrs. Serrano strives to create a sense of stability and comfort, even if it’s just through the appearance of their living space.
Mrs. Serrano’s frustration with her mother’s political activism is evident, and she is exasperated by Abuela’s dedication to causes that she perceives to be disruptive to their family life. This frustration stems from Mrs. Serrano’s own experiences of abandonment due to her mother’s prolonged absences during her childhood. The strain between them is further exacerbated by Abuela’s complicated relationship with Mrs. Serrano’s father, who participated in the Ponce Massacre, a historical event that Mrs. Serrano prefers to dismiss. As she declares, “I am sick of hearing about something that happened a long time ago. He was a policeman. It was his job to do what he was told to do” (98). Her dismissal of her father’s role in the massacre reflects her inability to come to terms with her family’s past. Her attitude clouds her judgment and leads to an unthinking denial of his actions and their broader significance. Eventually, however, her conversation with Evelyn about her childhood in Puerto Rico sparks the protagonist’s deeper understanding of her complex relationship with Abuela. The dialogue between Evelyn and her mother serves as the catalyst for personal reconciliation within the family, marking the first steps toward healing old wounds and strengthening bonds. When Evelyn herself later struggles with Abuela’s dismissal of the wound she sustains in the protest, Mrs. Serrano emerges as a source of comfort and wisdom, urging her daughter to accept Abuela’s limitations and appreciate her for who she is.
Mrs. Serrano’s views of the Young Lords undergo a similar change, and her initial suspicion begins to shift as she witnesses their positive impact on the community. This change becomes evident in her surprise visit to the church and her willingness to participate in certain initiatives, such as the clothes drive. Mrs. Serrano’s recognition of the Young Lords’ efforts reflects her awareness that the group is a catalyst for positive change, and this shift in attitude highlights her newfound awareness of the importance of community-driven efforts in addressing systemic challenges.
Abuela
Abuela, Evelyn’s maternal grandmother, defies traditional expectations with her vibrant appearance and bold personality. Her flamboyant style, characterized by vibrant colors and elaborate makeup, stands in stark contrast to the conservative appearance of other women, particularly her daughter, Mrs. Serrano. Evelyn notices her own physical resemblance to her grandmother and observes that Abuela is “an older, overdone version” of herself (36); this moment emphasizes their shared features and implies that they might have other similarities as well. Their likeness also foreshadows how Abuela ignites Evelyn’s own political awakening, fueling her commitment to social justice and community empowerment.
Abuela’s arrival disrupts the tranquility of Evelyn’s life, sparking a journey of self-exploration. She captivates Evelyn with stories of her youth in Puerto Rico, weaving personal experiences into historical narratives. She also recounts details from her marriage to Evelyn’s grandfather. Having married at a young age, she feels that she had little choice in determining her future, especially given the harsh post-Depression era on the island. Raised in a society marked by economic hardship and political turmoil, Abuela faced significant challenges in navigating societal expectations of womanhood and motherhood. Her decision to prioritize her involvement in activism over her maternal duties, although born out of a desire for social change and liberation, left a lasting impact on her relationship with her daughter, Mrs. Serrano, shaping the dynamics within their family for years to come. This early wound deeply influences the strained nature of Abuela’s relationship with her daughter as she grows up. When she arrives unannounced at Mrs. Serrano’s home, both argue routinely, like “two little girls fighting over something they couldn’t do anything about” (96), and this dynamic intensifies as Abuela concentrates her actions in helping the Young Lords in their community initiatives.
It is Abuela who acquaints Evelyn and the El Barrio community with the story of the Ponce Massacre. By providing a tangible link to the past and the broader struggles for Puerto Rican independence, Abuela exposes the harsh realities that the pro-independence movement faced on the island. Abuela’s empirical knowledge, derived from her presence during the massacre, becomes a valuable resource during the Young Lords’ church takeover, where she imparts historical lessons to the community. Through her history classes, she bridges the gap between past and present, offering insight into the enduring significance of historical struggles for liberation. Her role as a teacher within the community underscores the importance of preserving collective memory and empowering future generations with the knowledge of their shared heritage. Similarly, Abuela transmits to Evelyn an important, though bittersweet, part of her identity.
Despite the constant tension with her daughter, Mrs. Serrano, Abuela’s actions are driven by a fierce love for her family. She views activism as a form of care, a way to stand up for what she believes is right, even if it means challenging societal norms or risking personal relationships. Her conversations with Evelyn about Puerto Rican history and the significance of community mobilization serve as a catalyst for Evelyn’s political awakening, deepening her understanding of the power of community activism and fostering a sense of cultural pride. Through Abuela’s stories and her unwavering commitment to social justice, she instills in Evelyn a profound appreciation for the transformative potential of collective action, shaping her granddaughter’s role in advocating for change in their community.
