Carmen In Ann Patchett's Bel Canto

In the book Bel Canto by Ann Patchett, one of the characters who contributed to the story is Carmen. Carmen was a seventeen year old terrorist who was part of the organization responsible for keeping the hostages trapped in the vice president’s house. Carmen’s character is complex from the beginning of the story as she was considered to be a boy in the beginning of the days the hostage situation was happening. Carmen’s relevancy in the story is important because results from the end of the story stem specifically from her and her relationships she formed with the hostages around her. Despite her shy nature and being a teenager, Carmen had an impact on the story and was a key character who was close to a myriad of hostages. The physical appearance of Carmen was startling for all the hostages including the terrorists in the house. Aforementioned, Carmen was seen as a boy in the beginning due to her disguising as boy until Beatrice confirms to the hostages Carmen is a female. Carmen’s looks were revered by the men in the house because she was “much too beautiful” and “he smelled different from the other boys, a sweet, warm smell, and his neck was long and smooth” (Patchett 118). Messner also mentioned regarding Carmen that she had “a remarkable face” and her beauty was agreed upon the populous people living in the house (Patchett 149). Even though Carmen was …show more content…
Carmen alleviated Gen’s stay at the house with their close relationship and her kind personality made Roxane feel she had a young daughter who she cared for. Mr. Hosokawa who died protecting Carmen showed how he cherished Carmen deeply enough to step in front of her to take a bullet in her place which unfortunately both of them do die from a bullet. Carmen was a loved character throughout Bel Canto and her role as a terrorist did not stop her from developing feelings for a hostage and looking out for the people she was assigned to take