I think Antonioโs reaction to his ceremony is the most telling sign that Alma was hurting the family. This little boy is scared, and on a night that should be the most exciting of his life. I mean, he was going to get a superpower. What kid wouldnโt be bouncing off the walls with elation and impatience? He shouldโve been running to that door, but instead he turned away and reached out for his cousin.
When we first meet him, heโs hiding under a bed. He doesnโt want to be seen or celebrated, because the expectations that have been placed on him are so heavy he doesnโt want to face them. Heโs grown up seeing how the family treats Mirabel, as well as how she treats herself. He was unintentionally taught that in order to be special and loved, he needs a superpower. He wasnโt taught that being normal is okay, he was taught that itโs a disappointment. He was taught that he can only contribute to the family via magic or heโs useless. Perhaps even worse than useless, a burden.
Ultimately, Alma began to value the gifts given by the miracle over her family, and I think thatโs why Mirabelโs door disappeared. It was the candleโs way of saying, โLook at your granddaughter. Look at who she is, not what power she might obtain.โ Gifted children are often mistreated, even if it doesnโt seem like it. Luisa, for example, was praised for being strong, and because of her strength she was expected to shoulder every problem by herself. Isabelaโs gift seemingly bloomed perfection, and so she was expected to be perfect, even though thereโs no such thing. Almaโs abuse effected everyone.
So then, why did the magic work for Antonio but not Mirabel? Well, I think thereโs two reasons. First, we have to look at the source. The magic manifested itself when Pedro sacrificed himself for his family, meaning the magic is reliant on a strong family dynamic. By the time Mirabel was born, Alma had turned the miracle into an almost cult-like practice, dressing the children in white robes and inviting the town to observe. It wasnโt about family anymore, it was about the spectacle, so Mirabelโs door faded away. Thatโs not fair to Mirabel, but not all children are gifted. That doesnโt mean their family should love them less.
In Antonioโs case, however, Mirabel cared more about him than upsetting her grandmother. She wasnโt supposed to walk with him, but she did because he needed her. He needed his family, not some fancy ceremony or magic power. In that moment, only Mirabel could help him, and she unknowingly rejuvenated the magic because she wanted to be there for her cousin. In the end, Mirabelโs worth didnโt depend on some magic gift, it depended on her love for her family.
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blakekathryn
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