Main Characters
Who is the main character in Esperanza Rising?
Esperanza Ortega
Where does Esperanza and her family live at the beginning of the story?
Mexico or in the ranch
What event causes Esperanza’s family to lose everything they have in Mexico?
her father’s death
What does Esperanza’s doll represent to her when she first arrives in California?
her childhood and the life she left behind
The author wrote the book in inspiration about who?
Her own grandma
What is the name of Esperanza’s best friend who helps her when she’s in need?
Marisol
To what country do Esperanza and her mother move after her father’s death?
The United States
What major decision does Esperanza make about her future after the death of her father?
to leave Mexico and move to California
What does the image of the rose represent in Esperanza Rising?
hope and resilience or a reminder of her dad
Who was the other character Esperanza socialized herself around mostly?
Hint: a girl
Isabel
Who is Esperanza’s mother, who gets very ill and needs to go to the hospital?
Ramona Ortega
In which state does Esperanza end up working on a farm in the United States?
California
What does Esperanza initially think about working on the farm in California?
she feels it is beneath her, as she was once rich
How is the act of rising from hardships reflected in Esperanza’s name?
“Esperanza” meaning “hope” in Spanish
What were the farm workers protesting about?
The wages they were paid
Who is the man who helps Esperanza and her family when they are forced to leave Mexico?
Tío Luis
What is the name of the town where Esperanza and her family work in California?
Aguascalientes
What happens to Esperanza’s mother when they first arrive in California?
her mother falls ill and needs medical attention
What is the significance of the quilt that Esperanza’s mother gives her?
the quilt represents family ties/journey and comfort during tough times
Hope
What is the name of the boy Esperanza meets at the farm and later becomes friends with?
Miguel
What type of area is Esperanza’s new home in California, where she lives with the farm workers?
a camp for farm workers
How does Esperanza learn to adapt to her new life as a farm worker?
by learning to work in the fields and help others
What does Esperanza’s first job in the fields symbolize in her growth?
her transformation from privileged to hardworking
What does the story of Esperanza Rising ultimately teach about overcoming adversity?
that with hope, perseverance, and support, challenges can be overcome