liaison
Long ago,Encanto · 2021 — Chapter 1 of 19 · 3'17" · B1
Abuela Tells Mirabel the Miracle Story, Explained: in our darkest moment
The film opens with Abuela Alma telling young Mirabel how the family came by its magic: a forced flight from home, the loss of Pedro, and a miracle born in the family's worst moment. "We were given a miracle," she says, and the story ends as a blessing for the child.
What happens
At the start of the film, Abuela Alma tells her granddaughter Mirabel the story of the family miracle. She and Abuelo Pedro were forced to flee their home, and he was lost; in that darkest moment the candle became a flame that never goes out, and the casita came alive to shelter them.
Listen for
forced to fleein our darkest momentcame of agea place of wonder
00:00 / 03:17Space play · ← → lines · R repeat
Now
Phrase of the scene
in our darkest moment
at the lowest point we ever faced
阿玛讲到全家走投无路、失去佩德罗的那个时刻，用这句话引出奇迹的出现。
In our darkest moment, a neighbor came with food and stayed.
Also in this scene
- forced to flee
compelled to run away from home
- came of age
reached the age of becoming an adult
- a place of wonder
a place full of marvels
Everything marked in this scene
24 notes across 35 lines
when-clause of time
when my three babies had just been born,your Abuelo Pedro and I were forced to flee our home.hoping to find a new home, we could not escape the dangershoping to find a new home, we could not escape the dangersat the lowest point we ever faced
But in our darkest moment,we were given a miracle.The candle became a magical flame that could never go out.restrictive relative clause with that
The candle became a magical flame that could never go out.liaison
The candle became a magical flame that could never go out.And it blessed us with a refuge in which to live.And it blessed us with a refuge in which to live.relative clause with in which
And it blessed us with a refuge in which to live.a place full of marvels
A place of wonder.reached the age of becoming an adult
When my children came of age,liaison
When my children came of age,the miracle blessed each with a magic Gift to help us.have made our new home a paradise.will for the future
Tonight, this candle will give you your Gift, mi vida.weak form
Tonight, this candle will give you your Gift, mi vida.Tonight, this candle will give you your Gift, mi vida.Make your family proud.What do you think my Gift will be?will be just as special as you.Abuela Tells Mirabel the Miracle Story, explained
What's really going on
The opening is a creation myth told to a child, and it carries the whole film's burden in a few minutes. The story moves from loss to gift: a family driven from home, a husband lost, and then, in the family's worst moment, a miracle that turns the candle into an unending flame and the house into a living shelter. "We were given a miracle," Abuela says, and from that gift the family's powers are handed down, generation to generation. What she does not say is what the gift now costs: everyone in the family is expected to earn it, to "Make your family proud." The tenderness she shows Mirabel, telling her she is herself a wonder, sits next to that quiet pressure, and the film will spend the rest of its time pulling the two apart.
Theme
Family loveThe miracle is remembered as a gift that shelters the whole family, told by a grandmother to steady a child.
GenerationsA founding story is passed from Abuela to Mirabel, and the family's magic is inherited generation by generation.
What you'll learn
- Use come of age in a comparable exchange.
- Listen for the attitude around come of age.
- Notice how the reply changes the scene.
Listen for
- Long ago — liaison
- go out — liaison
- came of age — liaison
- give you — weak form
we were given a miracle.The turning point of the founding story: at the family's lowest moment, something beyond them intervened.
The candle became a magical flame that could never go out.The visible sign of the miracle, an eternal flame that marks the family's home and powers.
Tonight, this candle will give you your Gift, mi vida.Abuela explains the gift ceremony to a child: the same candle will now pass the magic on to the next generation.
Make your family proud.The line the whole family lives by, a blessing that doubles as an expectation of the children.
You are a wonder, Mirabel Madrigal.Abuela's tender description of Mirabel herself, saying the girl is as extraordinary as any Gift could be.
Questions about this scene
Why did the Madrigals have to leave their home?
Abuela says she and Abuelo Pedro were forced to flee when their children were babies, and though others joined them, danger caught up with them and Pedro was lost.
Where does the family's magic come from?
It began in the family's darkest moment, when they were given a miracle: the candle became an eternal flame and the casita came alive to shelter them.
How do the Madrigals get their Gifts?
When each child comes of age, the candle gives them a magic Gift to help the family and the community.
Why does Abuela tell Mirabel she is a wonder?
She is comforting the girl before her gift ceremony, telling her that whatever Gift she receives will be as special as she already is.
What does Abuela say will happen to Mirabel tonight?
She tells her the candle will give her her Gift that night, and asks her to strengthen the community and make the family proud.
Encanto · 19 chapters
All chapters →
Up next · Chapter 2Between you and meMirabel Introduces the Madrigals
Watching · Chapter 1in our darkest momentAbuela Tells Mirabel the Miracle Story
Chapter 2Between you and meMirabel Introduces the Madrigals
Chapter 3step asideMirabel Told to Step Aside
Chapter 4all to myselfMirabel Comforts Antonio Before His Gift
Chapter 5step into the lightAntonio's Gift Ceremony
Chapter 6move the mountainsMirabel Sings Waiting on a Miracle
Chapter 7all in my headAbuela Denies the Cracks
Chapter 8worth a shotMirabel Asks Dolores About the Magic
Chapter 9under the surfaceLuisa Sings Surface Pressure
Chapter 10a heavy liftWe Don't Talk About Bruno
Chapter 11Fix your faceThe Proposal Dinner Falls Apart
Chapter 12assume the worstMirabel Finds Bruno Behind the Walls
Chapter 13get a bad rapMirabel Reenters Bruno's Vision
Chapter 14hug it outMirabel and Isabela Hug It Out
Chapter 15good enoughAbuela Blames Mirabel for the Miracle
Chapter 16let me help youThe Family Searches for Mirabel
Chapter 17lose sight ofAbuela Apologizes to Mirabel
Chapter 18want to helpBruno Defends Mirabel
Chapter 19take after someoneThe Madrigals Rebuild CasitaChapter 1 of 19 · about 65 min to go