Beautiful & Cruel
What does Esperanza decide about growing up?
She decides not to grow up "tame" like others, waiting for a man to come get her.
What was Esperanza's mother's dream before she had children?
She wanted to be somebody important, like singing opera or fixing a TV.
Why does Sally leave Esperanza’s house to return to her father?
Sally’s father asks her to come back, saying it’s the last time, and she agrees to go home.
What happens to the monkey that used to live in the garden?
The family moved to Kentucky along with the monkey.
Where does Esperanza wait for Sally at the carnival?
Esperanza waits by the red clowns near the tilt-a-whirl.
How does Esperanza look up to the women in movies?
She admires them for their beauty and cruelty, women who drive men crazy with their own power and don’t give it away.
What does Esperanza's mother regret about her life?
She regrets quitting school because she didn’t have nice clothes, despite being smart.
What does Sally’s father do when he finds her talking to a boy?
He becomes angry and starts physically abusing her, saying she is not his daughter anymore.
How does the garden change after the monkey leaves?
The garden becomes overgrown with weeds, and old, abandoned cars start to appear.
What does Esperanza accuse Sally of doing?
Esperanza accuses Sally of lying to her.
What does Esperanza start?
Her own quiet war
Rebeillion against gender expectations
Why does Esperanza’s mother tell her to study hard and go to school?
She doesn’t want Esperanza to make the same mistakes she did, like not finishing school and feeling trapped by her circumstances.
What does Sally tell people about the marks on her body?
She tells them that she fell, but in reality, her father is the one who hurts her.
How does Esperanza react to the monkey moving away?
She was glad it moved away because it would scream at night.
How does Esperanza react to the situation?
Esperanza feels hurt and betrayed, as Sally leaves her alone, and the boys take advantage of her.
What does Esperanza mean when she says she has "begun her own quiet war"?
Esperanza means that she is asserting her independence and rejecting traditional roles for women, and wanting to control her own future.
"I was a smart cookie then" - What kind of literary device is this?
How does Esperanza describe Sally's brusies?
What does Esperanza say that appeared overnight like mushrooms?
"Dead cars appeared overnight like mushrooms".
How is symbolism shown in this part of the book?
Red symbolizes evil and the chapter had a lot of negative feelings in it. Esperanza also feels mad and upset about what happened to her, red symbolizing anger.
What is Esperanza’s attitude toward the "ball and chain" metaphor her mother uses?
She rejects the idea of being trapped by a husband, choosing instead to have control over her own life.
How does Esperanza compare herself to her friends?
She compares herself to her friends in a negative way. Although her mother is not in the worst of situations, if she had made different choices when she was younger, she would have a better life.
What are 2 themes that are shown in this part of the book?
Gender roles
Friendship and duty
What are the themes in The Monkey Garden?
Friendship and Duty
Gender Roles
How does the imagery of the "red clowns" reflect Esperanza's emotional experience at the carnival?
The red clowns represent the distorted, painful reality of her experiences, as they are associated with both the violence she faced and the confusion she feels about what is supposed to happen.