Rafaela (V. 31)

 

                Vignette 31 describes Rafaela as a beautiful young woman who remains locked behind closed

doors by her husband who fears that she is too beautiful (79). Rafaela’s husband consistently plays dominoes

at night while not allowing her to interact with others outside of the confines of their home. She is compared

to Esperanza’s great-grandmother who also leans out of her window to catch a glimpse of the outside world

(11). Similar to previously mentioned characters, Rafaela desires a life different from the one she currently

lives. She wishes to take advantage of her youthful years in the world. It is mentioned that “Rafaela wishes

she could go there and dance before she gets old” (79). Esperanza and her friends assist Rafaela by buying

coconut or papaya juice with dollars that she throws down from her room. While Rafaela is trapped

physically, she wanders in her mind to places where she can be free. 


        Rafaela is best represented by the 2019 album, Lover. The cover art as well as the content namesake song of the title suggest 18 (19, if you count the recently released All of the Girls You Loved Before) bubblegum-pop girly songs dedicated to Taylor’s lover. This becomes extremely misleading, as the listener realizes that a significant portion of the album is written in spite of past lovers or potential actions if a significant other were to leave. Rafaela’s past is not explicitly mentioned, however, we may be able to infer that she was at one point in love but has been turned on by her husband. While she will literally never walk Cornelia Street because she is trapped, Rafaela has experienced a Cruel Summer and Death by a Thousand Cuts.

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