Related Vocabulary
What does "segregation" mean?
Segregation means the enforced separation of different racial groups in a country.
What is a "superstition"?
It means an unjustified belief leading to a consequence.
What fruit does the ranch grow?
Grapes
How old is Esperanza in Chapter 2?
She is turning 13 years old.
Who are Alfonso, Hortensia, and Meguel and what color skin do they have?
They are the servant family that lives on the farm. Their skin is dark. They are Zapotec Indian.
What is "slavery"?
Slavery is the activity of legally owning other people who are forced to work for or obey you.
What is a servant?
A servant is a person employed in a house that performs duties.
What is the name of the ranch?
El Rancho de las Rosas
What was the author referring to when she wrote a deep river ran between Esperanza and Miguel?
The author was referring to the wealthy (Esperanza) cannot marry a poor servant (Miguel).
Who is Abuelita and what does she do to keep her mind busy?
Abuelita is Esperanza's grandmother, and she crochets to keep her mind busy.
What does "culture" mean?
Culture means the way of life, especially the general customs and beliefs, of a particular group of people.
What are bandits?
A bandit is a robber or an outlaw belonging to a gang.
What did Papa promise to Esperanza for her birthday?
He promised her a porcelain doll.
Who is telling the story "Esperanza Rising" and is it fiction or non-fiction?
The author (Pam Munoz Ryan) is telling the story. The story is fiction.
What does Abuelita mean when she says, "There is no rose without thorns".
She means, "There's no life without difficulties".
What does "tradition" mean?
A Tradition means a long-established custom or belief that has been passed on from one generation to another.
What does "resentment" mean?
Resentment means feeling bitter from having been treated unfairly, often for many years.
Who lives on the ranch?
Esperanza, her family, and servants live on the ranch.
What is Esperanza about to celebrate and why is it important?
The fiesta (harvest of the grapes) is celebrated with her birthday.
Who are Tio Luis and Tio Marco and what do they bring to Mama?
They are Papa's older stepbrothers. They brought Mama Papa's silver belt buckle.
What does "sympathetic" mean?
Sympathetic means feeling pity and sorrow for someone else's misfortune.
What is a Quinceanera and why is it important?
A celebration when a Mexican girl turns 15. They wear a white gown, and they are presented to the sons of rich families. They are old enough to be courted, marry and become patronas (head of their households).
Why was there resentment toward Mexican landowners?
The wealthy owned most of the land while some of the poor didn't have land for a garden and therefore didn't have food to eat.
What happened to Esperanza that was "bad luck" and who agreed with Esperanza that it was bad luck?
She pricked her finger on a thorn. Mama agreed it was bad luck.
What was brought back in the wagon?
Papa's body was brought back in the wagon.