The Lost Doll

Carmen was the only child of Roberto and Rosa Soto. She was beautiful, bright and loving child. However she was sick from the day of her birth. When she was four, she fell sick seriously and died. A few days after the funeral ceremony, Rosa gave away Carmen’s playthings and clothes to a priest of another village so that she couldn’t see them time and again. She thought that she wouldn’t have another child as she was told at the time of Carmen’s birth. When Roberto knew about it, he became very unhappy because he was hopeful that they would have another child. He asked about her the little dolly which Carmen always carried with her. Rosa said that she didn’t give it away. Then they searched everywhere in the house as well asked the villagers too but they couldn’t find it.

However they soon forgot about the lost doll because Rosa became pregnant. On the first anniversary of the death of Carmen, Rosa gave birth to another child. Roberto and Rosa became very happy. She was named Evangelina, which meant “good news”. When Evangelina grew she looked very much similar to her sister Carmen. But she was healthy girl. When she was about four, she told her mother that she had been sick a long time ago. She also told her aunt that she had a little, beautiful doll with blue eyes and red dress. She had buried it under a tree in the yard. She requested her mother to dig up the doll. When Rosa dug up the ground, she found the lost doll. She looked surprised, shocked and sick because it was difficult for her to believe. Evangelina also said that when she was sick, the nice man came and helped her to bury that doll under the tree.

 The story accounts the supernatural significance regarding its particular focus on the concept of reincarnation. When Evangelina was born and grown up, she looked very much similar to that of Carmen’s actions, characters, behaviors and other many things were very much similar. The priest said that God healed Carmen and sent her back in the form of healthy Evangelina. Though Rosa did not believe that her newly born child as the reincarnation of Carmen but she could not reject the mysterious fact towards the end of the story. When Evangelina reported everything about past and about her doll, Rosa could say nothing anymore.

Questions Answers:

1. What indications are there in the story that the Soto family was poor?

There are various indications in the story that suggest that the Soto family was poor. First, Soto family could not provide proper medicinal care to their sick daughter Carmen and thus she died at the age of four. Second, all of Carmen’s belongings could be kept in a small box which Rosa gave to a priest. Third, Roberto wanted to save the clothes of Carmen so that they could be used by their to-be-born child. Forth, it is mentioned that Roberto was a farmer and had rough hands.

2. Describe Carmen.

Maria del Carmen was the only child of Roberto and Rosa Soto. She was beautiful, kind, bright and lovely child. She was sick from the day of her birth and died at the age of four. She always carried a doll with blue eyes and in red dress.

3. How were Carmen and Evangelina alike? In what ways were they different?

Carmen and Evangelina were alike in their appearance, actions and characters. However, the fundamental difference was in their health. Carmen was sick from the day of her birth and died at the age of four. Evangelina was healthy from her birth. In fact, Evangelina was the rebirth of Carmen.

Questions to be discussed:

1. Rosa said to her husband, “False hope is not good.” When does hope become false? How can we know when hope is false?