Me, Frida, and the Secret of the Peacock Ring

Paloma becomes interested in the paintings of Frida Kahlo when she is told that Kahlo was her late father’s favorite painter. Initially, Paloma is dubious about Kahlo, evaluating her on her physical appearance and the outlandish images in some of her paintings. However, the opportunity to view Kahlo’s home, artifacts, and paintings up close changes Paloma’s view, as does the education she receives in the summer course in which she is enrolled.

As she views more and more of Kahlo’s paintings, Paloma is able to identify much of the symbolism within them and develop theories about the emotion behind them. In many cases, Paloma can relate to the feelings expressed in the paintings, demonstrating the power of art to move an individual. In the case of Kahlo’s painting of her father, for instance, Paloma identifies with the strong love Kahlo experienced for the man; in this way, Paloma is reminded of her own father and the love he expressed for her in the short time they were together. Art, then, connects her to her father as Paloma is able to discover what it is about Kahlo’s paintings that were meaningful to him, simply by viewing them.

In a similar way, the novel emphasizes the importance of art to the larger culture. In the class she attends, Paloma learns that Kahlo’s paintings are protected by the Mexican government. This indicates the great importance they have to the Mexican people as a whole, as they showcase the beauty and splendor of Mexico’s culture. Though the paintings and artifacts associated with Kahlo are of great monetary value, they are on display at Kahlo’s former home rather than owned privately by individuals. In this way, they can be enjoyed by the public as well as by visitors from all over the world. Cervantes therefore suggests that art’s purpose is to inspire and teach those who engage with it, rather than to provide wealth to the few who can afford to purchase such costly items.

Finally, it is through Kahlo’s art that Paloma also connects with other people. Tavo, Gael, and Lizzie all admire Kahlo’s art, and viewing it provides Paloma with an opportunity to develop meaningful friendships. These bonds are ones that Paloma would not otherwise have fostered had she not been exposed to Kahlo’s paintings.