Breath, Eyes, Memory

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussions of rape, sexual abuse, unwanted pregnancy, abortion, and suicide.

“Tante Atie kept looking at the window even after all signs of the Augustins had faded into the night. A tear rolled down her cheek.”

This observation by Sophie, the narrator, shows her innocence and her limited perspective as a young girl. Although she sees Atie cry while watching the Monsieur Augustin with his wife, she does not fully grasp that she is in love with a married man—a fact that is later revealed to Sophie by her mother.

“‘His father died in that fire out front. His father was some kind of old government official, très corrupt,’ she whispered. ‘Très guilty of crimes against the people.’”

This description of the father of the boy who sits next to Sophie on the plane adds historical context to Sophie’s private experience. He is part of the “old government,” meaning the Duvalier regime (See: Background), and was murdered because of his participation in corruption. The novel therefore takes place shortly after the Duvalier regime is overthrown, in the massive upheaval of his government and its corruption.

“The girl lost her nerve. She lost her fight. You should have seen us when we were young. We always dreamt of becoming important women.”

Martine is speaking to Sophie about her Tante Atie, saying that she lost her motivation to be something successful and has not done what she desired with her life. However, ironically, Martine fails to recognize that the main reason for this is because Martine left Sophie in Haiti to be cared for by Atie.