The whole is greater than the sum of its parts: An analysis of Vida's non-chronological narrativeLife is not a singular journey and capital ; it is a multitude of experiences and events that shape not only a person's life, but also their character. In Vida, Patricia Engel manages to construct a novel on several levels which produces a synergistic effect: the whole is much greater than the sum of its parts. By constructing Vida in non-chronological order, Engel manages to convey a realistic tale of self-discovery by evoking distinct life-changing moments and the subsequent realization of the individual self. Although the chapters seemingly have nothing in common, in the sum of their parts they form a complete portrait of Sabina. In fact, as Engel asserts, it is not life's defining moments that are most profound for a person's personal development: the most important moments are "uneventful, as are most events." life-changing moments.” You don’t see them happening” (44). Ultimately, by employing a non-chronological narrative – as well as other literary elements – Engel skillfully conveys Sabina's personal story, while fragmenting time and place. So each chapter is a representation of the person Sabina was at that time – her feelings, her language, her tone – and it constantly changes as a girl grows into a woman and tries to understand who she is in as a woman. individual. As stated previously, the purpose of Engel's non-chronological narrative is to allow distinct moments in life to be able to present themselves individually on paper. Therefore, this gives the possibility of changing points of view in different individual chapters. Specifically, Engel changes the narrative in two chapters of the novel: "Green" and "Cielito Lindo....... middle of paper ...... process of returning to and reflecting on different defining moments. Thus, as Engel herself explains, Vida is “organized as a map of Sabina’s emotional memory. The stories are told as she would have told them to a friend, a slow confession, and in the revelations she draws her own connections” (Bancroft). Thus, by telling Sabina's story in a non-chronological manner, Engel was able to convey the development of the individual through reflection. Through the use of various literary elements and the non-chronological structure, Sabina's transformation is both thoughtful and accessible. Word Count: 1,602 Works CitedBancroft, Colette. "Review: Patricia Engel's 'Vida' Makes the Struggle of Colombian-American Youth a Universal Story." Tampa Bay Times. Tampa Bay Times, September 18, 2010. Web. May 17, 2014. Engel, Patricia. Vida. New York: Black Cat, 2010. Print.