Characters
Who is Jesus?
Eddie’s cousin whose murder impacts the entire story.
What is air conditioning?
Eddie studies this trade in college before dropping out and often discussed with characters in the text of Eddie's apartment and Angel's
What is sadness/hopelessness?
The buried onions symbolize this emotion spreading through Fresno.
I had a theory about those vapors which were not released by the sun’s heat but by a huge onion buried under the city. This onion made us cry […] I thought about the giant onion, that remarkable bulb of sadness.”
“A huge onion buried under the city” represents this about Fresno. Any reference to an onion is the oppression of the characters
What is Fresno?
The novel takes place in this California city.
Who is Jose?
Eddie’s loyal friend who was stabbed after confronting thieves.
What is the red truck?
This valuable item gets stolen while Eddie borrows Mr. Stiles’ vehicle.
What is survival or breaking the cycle?
A major theme showing Eddie trying to escape violence and poverty.
"I knew the mortuary students would get good jobs because my cousin had died recently and my father and two uncles were dead, all of them now with arms like the arms of praying mantises, crooked and thin as whispers".
Eddie often thinks death surrounds him because so many people in his life are this.
What are poverty and violence?
The south side of Fresno is heavily impacted by these two problems.
Who is Mr. Stiles?
The wealthy man who gives Eddie landscaping work.
What are house numbers?
Eddie paints these on curbs to earn money.
What is rebirth/hope/renewal?
Water symbolizes this idea for Eddie near the end of the novel.
"The telephone was ringing. It was my aunt and she wanted revenge, too, wanted me to put someone away for good in a grave." It wasn't bad enough that we had to live through vapors oof buried onions and poor jobs.
This conflict is shown when Eddie refuses revenge for Jesus’ death and chooses to evade his aunt throughout the text.
What is revenge?
Eddie struggles against pressure from gangs and this expectation after Jesus dies.
Who is Angel?
Eddie suspects this character may have killed Jesus
What is Cuca's family resturant?
Jose gets stabbed here to confront the men who stole Mr. Stile's truck
What is hopelessness or survival of the fittest?
Soto uses insects and roaches to symbolize this harsh reality of life.
What is resilience/integrity/self-control?
Eddie’s decision not to become violent shows this character trait.
What is opportunity or a different life?
The north side of Fresno represents this for Eddie or the military in the end.
Who is Coach?
This mentor encourages Eddie to leave Fresno and join the military
What is join the Navy/military?
At the end of the novel, Eddie decides to do this to escape Fresno
What is a better future/hope/responsibility?
One major theme is Eddie choosing between violence to defend himself as well as staying loyal to his aunt's expectations and value's.
What is an open ending/ambiguous ending?
The ending is considered this type because Eddie’s future is uncertain.
What is the cycle of violence and poverty?
The biggest conflict in the novel is Eddie trying to escape this repeating pattern.