Life in Mexico
The name of Esperanza's family ranch in Aguascalientes.
What is El Rancho de las Rosas?
The country Esperanza and her mother are fleeing to.
What is the United States?
The first chore Esperanza fails at, leading Marta to mock her as "Cinderella."
What is sweeping?
This represents the "deep river" between Esperanza and Miguel's social classes.
What is social class (or wealth/status)?
The protagonist who must learn to live as a peasant after being a wealthy socialite.
Who is Esperanza?
The traditional birthday song sung to Esperanza at sunrise.
What is Las Mañanitas?
The mode of transportation they use to reach the border, where they sit on hard wooden benches.
What is a train?
The illness Mama contracts after the dust storm.
What is Valley Fever?
Abuelita's crochet pattern that represents the ups and downs of life.
What is the zigzag (mountains and valleys)?
The housekeeper's son who dreams of working on the railroad.
Who is Miguel?
The specific crop being harvested when the story begins.
What are grapes (las uvas)?
The item Esperanza refuses to let a young girl on the train touch.
What is her porcelain doll?
The fruit Esperanza uses to soothe the babies' upset stomachs.
What are plums (cooked into a mash)?
What Esperanza tries to hear by lying down and pressing her ear to the ground.
What is the heartbeat of the earth?
The grandmother who tells Esperanza, "Do not be afraid to start over."
Who is Abuelita?
The reason Papa's stepbrothers, Tío Luis and Tío Marco, are disliked by Esperanza.
What is because they are serious, gloomy, and self-important (or trying to take the ranch)?
The character who helps the family secure false papers and safe passage.
Who is Mr. Rodriguez (or Alfonso/Miguel's connections)?
The name of the girl who teaches Esperanza how to sweep and wash diapers.
Who is Isabel?
These flowers, brought from Mexico by Miguel and Alfonso, represent Papa's love.
What are roses?
The antagonist who tries to force Mama to marry him to gain control of the ranch.
Who is Tío Luis?
The superstition Esperanza believes in after pricking her finger on a rose thorn.
What is bad luck?
The reason Abuelita cannot travel with the family immediately.
What is because she was injured in the fire (or her ankle is hurt)?
The reason some workers want to go on strike.
What is to fight for better wages and living conditions?
What Esperanza eventually gives to Isabel, symbolizing her growth.
What is the porcelain doll?
The friend in the camp who is a vocal advocate for workers' rights and strikes.
Who is Marta?