Short Summary: The Moths By Helena Viramontes

We all have families that guide us to discover our identity and background, but does that mean we have to follow through the same traditions? The short story “The Moths” by Helena Viramontes tells the story of a fourteen-year-old who describes herself as unattractive, disrespectful and unlike other girls. Although she is mistreated and abused by her family she has an Abuelita who cares for her. She is then forced to care for her ailing Abuelita who is dying through her last days shaping her to become responsible, and discovers a sequence on how she and her family were raised. The story argues that every individual can obtain rebirth through the discovery of self-belonging, self-reflection, and by spreading affection. The story argues that …show more content…
We all need to discover who we are as individuals in order to develop personal growth. For instance, as the narrator starts to care for Abuelita she begins to change the way she views life. Furthermore, as Abuelita begins to feel worse the narrator “bec[omes] angry and tired of the quarrels and beatings and unanswered prayers” (Viramontes 3). As a result, the narrator begins to reflect on who she is and whether or not she wants the beatings to continue being a part of her life. The narrator is now starting to make her own choices as to who she wants to be as a person. Subsequently, the narrator`s decision makes her recognize her personal transformation. As the narrator is sitting outside watching the sunset she understands how there’s a “time when moods change, inevitable seasons of a day, transition from one color to another” (Viramontes 3). As the narrator compares herself to the sun she realizes how she has changed into a better person. Therefore, she begins to reflect on the person she was before and how caring for her Abuelita has helped her truly identify herself. As the narrator goes through self-reflection and seeing how it has made her a better person we can see just how equally important it can be for …show more content…
The story analyses the importance of self-belonging towards humans and how it’s necessary towards rebirth. Not to mention the story also shows how equally important self-reflection can be towards humanity. Lastly, the story shows how showing affection can transform an individual to become a better person. In the final analysis, “The Moths” is a mournful story that proves humans ability to overcome difficulties and seeing endings as the beginning of a new