Hope in Krik Krak

        A flying hot-air balloon, consistently written letters to their love, and a mother who has wings to fly. All of these are a symbol representing each character's hope and dream within their harsh situation. The author--Danticat, might be trying to show the reader, even though these characters are facing poverty or facing danger, they did not choose to surrender. The theme of a hard life of the Haitians seems more obvious; but instead, hope, is what I think as another important theme and symbol of these three stories in Krik Krak.
      In Children of the Sea, the lovers are being seperated, the male character is facing his approaching death on the sea. But he choose to write down thse words to his lover even though he is not sure if she will get it. The female character on the other side also choose to continue writting her letters to her lover that is no where near to be found. Both of them did not choose to give up on their relationship;Moreover, they still have this small burning hope inside them beliveing that one day the letter might be given to each other.
      A Wall of Fire Rising, has the most obvious, physical symbol of hope in its story. The hot-air balloon represents the father---Guy's hope to escape from his life and from his unchangable reality. He said that he did not want to live his father, in proverty. Especially in the time period where men are expected to be pwerful and supportive for his family; Guy being the opposite, felt setback. He must have understood the consequences he will face if he goes on to the hot-air balloon. Therefore, he choose to die as soon as he reached his goal, his admiration of all time. He has a strong feeling and as his wife is worried, I believe that this hope isn't helpful nor practical to solve Guy's problem. This is another different kind of hope being showed in Krik Krak in comparison to 1937 and The Children of the Sea.
     In 1937, Josephine's mother is told that could fly and has wings. The wings and the symbol of flying also represents an escape to a more hopeful place. However, their situation was harsh during the Haitians Massacre in the Dominican Republic. Shootings made the river turn into red and her mother trying to save her daughter---Josephine, choose to jump into the other side of the river. It is brave what she've done but every women during that time were not expected to have power nor to show a stronger stregnth than men. Therefore, her imprisoned mother suffered through all the tortures and mistreatment from the prison guard and eventually die. This shows how women power and hope weren't accpeted and is dangerous during that time. However, in this story, another side of hope is considered dangerous and untouchable that causes trouble.
     These three stories from Krik Krak show different perspectives and consequnces hope during that time might bring. But also shows how hope often appears whenever the situation seems more difficult and stressing.