Plot/Characters
What is the name of Esperanza's sister?
Nenny
The shoes are linked to a fairytale, but lead these girls to a bum instead of Prince Charming. The shoes symbolize that fairy tales do not come true for these girls and act as a coming of age moment.
Explain the symbolism of windows in "My Name" (10).
The window symbolizes that her great-grandmother was trapped in a life she did not want. Esperanza does not desire to be trapped and doesn't want to "inherit her place at the window" (11)
Explain the metaphor in the last sentence of "Boys and Girls" (9).
The anchor symbolizes all that is weighing Esperanza down--her sister, family, poverty etc.
Find examples of poverty.
various examples
Who doesn't have a last name?
Geraldo
Explain the symbolism of shoes in "Chanclas" (47).
Esperanza has to wear her old saddle shoes with her new clothes and symbolize Esperanza's shame because of her poverty. She does overcome her shame by the end of the vignette when she enjoys dancing.
Explain the window symbolism in "No Speak English" (76).
Mamacita feels trapped in America and prefers to "sit by the window" instead of interacting outside her new home (77).
Explain the simile "explode like Christmas" on page 73.
Find examples of coming of age.
Various answers.
What are the names of Esperanza's friends from Texas?
Rachel and Lucy
Explain the symbolism of shoes in "Our Good Day" (14).
Lucy and Rachel wear Sunday shoes without socks, symbolizing their poverty. Cathy warns Esperanza not to associate with them, but Esperanza befriends them in spite of Cathy's warnings.
Explain the window symbolism in "Sire" (72).
Esperanza "lean[s] out her window," desiring to have a relationship with a boy (73). She would rather have an actual relationship instead of having to watch other people date. The window symbolizes her desire to come of age.
The simile depicts how similarly Esperanza and Nenny laugh, linking them as sisters.
Find examples of friendship.
Various answers.
Name one member of Esperanza's family who dies.
Aunt Lupe and her grandfather
What do shoes symbolize in "Sally" (81)?
Sally wears black suede shoes, which Esperanza would like because they make Sally look older. The shoes symbolize Esperanza's desire to come of age and be more grown up like Sally; however, the vignette makes it clear that Sally's life is far from the one Esperanza would actually want.
Explain the window symbolism in "Bums in the Attic" (86).
The window symbolizes all of what Esperanza's family "can't have" (86).
Explain the simile in "Minerva Writes Poems" (84).
Minerva is "sad like a house on fire," which depicts how many hardships Minerva has, making her life unstable due to her husband leaving her (84).
Find examples of the theme of family.
various answers
Who tells Esperanza's fortune?
Elenita
Explain the symbolism of shoes in "No Speak English"? (76)
Mamacita wears "tiny pink shoes," which are the same color as her house in Mexico, which she misses desperately (76).
Explain the window symbolism in "Sally" (81)
Esperanza thinks about asking Sally if she wishes she didn't have to go home and instead could go to a house with "big windows" (82). Windows symbolize an escape from poverty and an abusive household.
What is the purpose of repetition in "Red Clowns" (99-100)?
The repetition emphasizes Esperanza's trauma and her vast disillusionment when she finally has a sexual encounter with a boy.
On page 45, Sister Superior makes Esperanza feel ashamed of her house.