How does Mama respond to Tio’s marriage proposal after the fire?
Mama accepts her uncle's proposal.
100
What challenge does Miguel face? How does he respond?
Miguel faces the challenge of the fire. He saves Abuelita.
100
How does Abuelita respond to the fire?
Abuelita was determined to save her crocheting bag, so she goes back in the house to rescue it.
100
What is Mama willing to do besides let Tio think she will marry him?
She is willing to work hard in California doing fieldwork.
100
Why did "a tiny smile appear on Mama’s tired face" when she thought about having to marry Tio?
She knew that letting him think that she would marry him, but going to California instead, would be a great insult to him.
200
What can we tell about Mama as a person, when she accepts the uncle's proposal?
It shows that she is very strong.
Mama knows that she must protect Esperanza and the servants, and her only way of doing that is by accepting the uncle’s proposal.
200
Seeing how Miguel responds to the challenges of the fire tells us what about him as a person?
This shows that he cares a lot about Esperanza’s family and is willing to put his own life at risk to help them.
200
What does it tell us about Abuelita as a person when she goes back in the burning house for her crocheting?
This shows that she values some things, like having something to occupy her mind, even more than being safe.
200
Why does Abuelita give the crocheting to Esperanza?
Abuelita gives the crocheting to Esperanza to help her pass the time while they are apart.
She also wants Esperanza to learn a lesson about life -- that you are sometimes going through hard times but there will
be good times too.
200
How is Mama a good example for Esperanza?
Mama is determined to do what is right and not complain about it.
300
What does she see as her role in the family?
She sees her role as the one who has to make a sacrifice to save her family.
300
How does Miguel demonstrate that he is ready for this challenge of going to the United States?
Miguel is showing great strength while they are leaving the rancho by helping his father lead them out of the situation.
300
How does Abuelita let Mama know she approves of her
decisions?
She listens and shows her approval by nodding and agreeing to help get the right papers together
300
Why did Mama accept Tio's marriage proposal?
Mama knows that she must protect Esperanza and the servants, and her only way of doing that is by accepting the uncle’s proposal.
300
Why do you think that the author called this chapter "Los Higos?"
The author called this chapter "Los Higos" because the figs helped them secretly make plans to escape to California.
400
How does Mama feel about marrying Tio?
Mama does not want to marry Tio!
400
What character traits does Miguel show?
Miguel could be considered brave and mature.
400
How does Abuelita attempt to comfort Esperanza?
She comforts Esperanza by reminding her of a story of when she moved to Mexico from Spain and by explaining that she will join them when she is better.
400
What does Abuelita promise to do?
She promises to join them when she is better.
400
How does Esperanza show she still is not ready to face the situation?
Esperanza wants to avoid saying goodbye while Abuelita faced the situation even though it was sad.
500
How does this continue to show Mama’s strength as a person?
It shows that she is very strong because she is willing to insult him by moving to the United States instead of marrying him.
500
How are Miguel's character traits different from Esperanza's?
He is brave and is not thinking about the past. Esperanza is thinking of only the past. She is angry and sad.
500
What role does Abuelita play in the family?
Abuelita seems to be the leader of the family now because every time Mama wants to make a decision she must talk it over with her too.
500
How does Esperanza react to leaving the rancho?
Esperanza is having a hard time not showing her anger.