Allusions, Slang, and Spanish Words
means “hope” in Spanish.
Esperanza
tells Esperanza that the neighborhood is getting bad
Cathy
small flat rose-looking flowers
rosettes
tiny curls that are held in place with bobby pins
pin curls
was a wild woman who was forced to get married
Great Grandmother
In many cultures, it is important to dress up to go to religious services on the weekend. Often, kids have special clothes they only wear on Sunday, so their good clothes stay clean during the week.
“shiny Sunday shoes”
to receive money or property from someone after he or she has died
inherit
hair clips; a small plastic or metal object to hold hair in place
barrettes
spent her life looking out the window
Great Grandmother
longs for a friend she can tell secrets to
Esperanza
The Chinese zodiac associates each year with an animal and its characteristics. It rotates on a twelve-year cycle. People born in “the year of the horse” are thought to be cheerful, flexible, perceptive, intelligent, childish, and stubborn.
“Chinese year of the horse”
wobbling; moving unsteadily from side to side
wobbly
outspoken and rude
sassy
dreams of a home with a yard and three washrooms
Esperanza
shares a bike with Esperanza and Nenny
Rachel and Lucy
“You sure got quite a load”:
You are carrying heavy objects
is Esperanza’s responsibility
Nenny
breaking easily into small pieces; broken down
crumbly
offers to be Esperanza’s friend until Tuesday
Cathy
a short scene that captures a single moment or a defining detail about a character, idea, or other element of the story.
Vignette
People are moving into the neighborhood that are not welcome by the speaker
The neighborhood is getting bad
recurring images, ideas, or objects that help develop a text’s theme, which is a central idea of the work.
Motifs
ragged or torn
raggedy
His house was not built well because the floors inside slant, and the stairs out front are crooked. The house also lacks closets, but storage areas are important to most people who are looking for a house.
MeMe
the item in the store that fascinates Esperanza.
a wooden music box