Have You Seen Luis Velez?

As mentioned in the Themes section, Hyde refers to light and vision throughout the novel. She symbolically names her characters, the most obvious of which is Luis. Luis means “light,” from the Spanish la luz, “the light.” Thus, in losing Luis, Millie has lost the light.

The first time someone addresses Raymond, it is as “Ray Ray.” Even though Millie has lost the light, Raymond brings her a ray when he steps into her world.

Millie gives the stray cat a Luis-derived name: Louise. When Raymond receives an offer of divine help in the form of the patron saint Jude, it comes from the beautiful Luisa.

Hyde also uses characters’ names to define them. Raymond is a Germanic name that means “protector” or “counselor.” Jaffe is a Hebrew name meaning “beautiful” or “pleasant.” Millie, who is Jewish and German, has a new caretaker with the Jewish-German name “beautiful protector.” The name Mildred, from Olde English, means “gentle strength.”

Hyde uses this symbolic wordplay with other characters as well: Velez means “beautiful people.” Baby Ramon’s name means “wise protector,” implying the role he will play in the family.