Me, Frida, and the Secret of the Peacock Ring

Paloma meets Gael and his sister Lizzie on her first night in Mexico. As one of the members of the mariachi band, Paloma is moved by the song he plays. Her perception of Gael, however, changes many times throughout the novel, and he is therefore a dynamic character who is both shrouded in mystery and helps to resolve it. Initially, when he invites her to take part in solving the ring mystery, Paloma deems Gael strange and cunning, certain that he is trying to trick her. She is skeptical as to why he has singled her out, given that he does not know her at all. In this way, Gael comes across and bold and undeterred. Though Paloma agrees to help him solve the mystery, at times Gael strikes her as suspicious. Indeed, he is not entirely forthcoming and hides certain details from Paloma. These inconsistencies complicate his character, making it unclear whether or not he can be trusted, and thus Cervantes uses him to contribute to the novel’s suspense.

However, as the nature of Mr. Castillo’s role in the missing ring becomes clear, it is apparent that Gael, like Paloma, deeply cares about his father. Gael is driven by not only a desire to free him but by a belief in justice and honesty. Further, he genuinely cares for Paloma and desires for her to be safe, evident in the Aztec eagle medallion he gives to her. He feels remorseful for having kept the truth of his fathers’ whereabouts, as well as other actions he has taken in pursuit of his father’s freedom, a secret from Paloma, as Gael respects her and values her friendship. When they part at the end of the novel, the genuine nature of Gael’s character has been restored as Paloma feels that his deceptions were justified in the interest of exonerating his father.

Tavo is the son of Mr. Farill, the man responsible for the fellowship Paloma’s mother has earned. Tavo is one of the first people whom Paloma meets in Mexico. He is presented as quiet and attractive, and he appears lonely to Paloma. As she becomes acquainted with him, Paloma can see that Tavo is friendly and personable, often teasing Paloma good naturedly about her interest in Frida Kahlo’s art. Tavo appears occasionally throughout the novel as the Castillo twins caution Paloma not to spend time with him. In this way, it is suggested that he is somehow dangerous for Paloma to be around. However, when Paloma is with him, he seems kind and unthreatening. This conveys a message about trusting one’s instincts, a skill on which Paloma relies throughout the novel.

Ultimately, Tavo is unaware of his father’s wrongdoings. He is deeply saddened by these actions and does not share his father’s greed for money or physical objects of value. Tavo demonstrates his strength of character by forgiving the Castillo twins for breaking in to his house. Likewise, he understands that Paloma, too, did not intend to harm him personally by exposing his father’s crimes. In this way, Tavo highlights the importance of The Pursuit of Justice for the Greater Good, since he stands to lose the most when it comes to making ethical choices.