Alice Hoffman's Incastation

The theme of the book Incantation, by Alice Hoffman, could be the idea that people in life, even the ones closest to you, are not always what they seem. The first time this theme is seen on page 22, “When my grandmother fastened them around my throat, I didn’t know what to say. I wasn’t used to her kindness.” This showed Estrella that her grandmother isn’t just someone who can never be pleased and is cold-hearted she is someone who is kind and loving even his the most unusual ways. Estrella is now just beginning to realize that people aren’t as they seem on the outside or what you think you know about the inside. The second instance of this theme showing is on page 46, “Don’t be silly. We had reached Catalina’s yard. It’s a hawk. She seemed pleased by my mistake.” This not only the second …show more content…
When he finally sees Estrella for who she is it isn’t just a shock for her but for her grandfather too (106 Hoffman). This little conversation that Jose and Estrella share show her that her grandfather wasn’t just a man who valued men, boys, and his daughter but he was also a man who believed that everyone was smart once they could prove it. The biggest shock of character change would be when Catalina becomes so thick-headed that she ends up turning in Estrella’s family for being Jews (120-121 Hoffman). This, as I said before, is the main conflict in the story. Although it doesn’t happen until more towards the end it affects the final outcome of the book. The book was very sad being the people she loved and cared for ended up dying because of Catalina’s new found hatred for Estrella. The theme that people aren’t always what they seem is a very important one in the book Incantation by Alice Hoffman. It affects the way Estrella acts as well as how she feels towards the ones she loves and how she would soon have to mourn over them as she runs with the only people she has left; Andres and her