Three ways that Lola and her mother, Beli, are alike are their efforts to use sexuality to escape their situation, confidence and abandonment issues, and desire for a positive maternal association. Differences between them include the environment in which they grew up, attitude toward education, and their relationship with Oscar.

As adolescents, Lola and Beli both tried to use sexuality to attract men they believed could benefit or support them, only to end up being used themselves. Both women have issues with self-confidence that stem from feeling abandoned or rejected by their parents. This in turn leads them to value a positive relationship with a mother figure. In Lola’s case, her own mother cannot fulfill that longing, while Beli bonded closely with La Inca.

Beli was raised in the politically charged atmosphere of the Dominican Republic, then moved to the United States. Her daughter grew up in New York, then later traveled to her ancestral homeland. Beli’s aspirations were limited in that environment, and she did not expect to pursue higher education. Lola, however, attends college. As Oscar’s sister, Lola tries to protect him and worries about his emotional problems, but Beli believes in being strict.