Plot and Key Events
This is the reason Esperanza stays close to Mama at the beginning of the chapter.
What is because Mama is very sick and needs constant care?
This is how Esperanza feels about Mama’s illness.
What is worried, scared, and anxious?
This object connects Esperanza to Abuelita.
What is the blanket (or crocheting)?
This is the main problem Esperanza faces.
What is Mama’s illness?
This is where Mama is taken for treatment.
What is the hospital (Kern General Hospital)?
This is the item Mama asks for from the valise.
What is Abuelita’s crocheted blanket (or the crocheting)?
This word describes Mama’s lack of energy and interest.
What is listless?
This is what the blanket represents.
What is hope, love, and connection to family?
This is why Esperanza cannot easily contact Abuelita.
What is her uncles may be watching the mail and preventing communication?
This is the type of work done in the sheds
What is cutting potato eyes?
This is why Mama must be taken to the hospital.
What is because she is very weak, not improving, and needs constant medical care?
This is how Hortensia supports Esperanza emotionally.
What is she comforts her, reassures her, and explains Mama’s condition?
This is why Esperanza weaves her hair into the blanket.
What is to add her love, wishes, and prayers into it?
This is the financial problem the family faces.
What is they have no steady income and cannot afford expenses?
These are the parts of potatoes that are cut for planting.
What are potato eyes (the parts used to grow new potatoes)?
This is the decision Esperanza makes after Mama is hospitalized.
What is that Esperanza decides to work to earn money and help bring Abuelita?
This is what Isabel’s actions reveal about her character.
What is she is kind, creative, and appreciative of simple things?
This is what the stone gift symbolizes.
What is love, effort, and giving despite having little?
This is the danger workers face regarding the strike.
What is they may lose jobs, homes, or be deported (or harmed)?
This is how the cold weather affects the workers.
What is it makes work very difficult, cold, and uncomfortable?
This is how Esperanza’s role in the family changes after Mama goes to the hospital.
What is she becomes responsible for supporting and caring for her family (taking on a leadership role)?
This is how Esperanza’s self-perception changes by the end of the chapter.
What is she begins to see herself as strong, responsible, and independent?
This is what the “mountains and valleys” represent in Esperanza’s life.
What is the ups and downs (struggles and good times) of life?
This is the type of conflict that is strongest in Esperanza’s experience.
What is internal conflict (her fear, responsibility, and emotional struggle)?
This is how the setting highlights migrant workers’ struggles.
What is it shows how harsh and difficult migrant workers’ lives are?