The Mixquiahuala Letters

Teresa is of Mexican-indigenous descent and was raised partially by her grandmother. She becomes a professional poet and a teacher as the story progresses. In her early and mid-twenties, she relishes Mexican food and drink, and in general she seems more gregarious and passionate than Alicia. Her first marriage to Libra seems to have been spontaneous and emotionally driven, although the relationship is difficult, and she eventually leaves Libra. Early in the story Teresa attracts more male attention than Alicia and therefore places less emotional weight on it; she’s also more willing to reject societal beauty standards for women. Although she hadn’t been to Mexico before the study abroad trip, Teresa develops a strong enough connection to the country that she moves there several years after she and Alicia take their second trip. She raises her son in Mexico near her son’s grandparents, and it’s implied that she marries someone else after having her baby. Despite negative experiences with her grandmother’s Catholicism, Teresa harbors deep beliefs in supernatural realities and experiences, and begins praying a rosary during the incident in Ponce’s house. She also relates dreams that she believes are significant, further revealing her belief in symbolic, intuitive experiences.