Characters
The protagonist of the novel
Esperanza
What is the symbolism of figs in the novel?
Safety / Stability / Well-being
Symbolism
Mexican Revolution
The state Esperanza moved to
California
How many rooms are there in Esperanza's new home that she shares with 4 other people?
2
Who is the "He" that is mentioned in the following quote:
“It is not the house he wants … It is your influence he wants.”
Tio Luis
Esperanza's Mother
Ramona
How does Esperanza stepping on the figs as she leaves home foreshadow her future?
She is losing safety/stability
Placing two opposites next to each other to highlight their differences
Juxtaposition
The expectations for how men and women act in a given society
Gender Roles
The name of Esperanza's family farm
El Rancho de Las Rosas
Abuelita's favorite activity
Crochet
Who said:
"Did you know that when you lie down on the land, you can feel it breathe? That you can feel its heart beating.”
Papa (Sixto)
Esperanza's Grandmother
Abuelita
What is the symbolism of the zig zag pattern of Abuelita's blanket?
The peaks and valleys of life
Literary device that means a warning or indication of a future event
foreshadowing
The name of the social structure in Mexico that dictates how much power or wealthy someone could have.
Mexican Caste System
What type of place does Esperanza currently live at
Migrant Camp or Labor Camp
Papa's final gift to Esperanza
a doll
Who said:
“We are like the phoenix. Rising again, with a new life ahead of us.”
Abuelita
The antagonist of the novel
Tio Luis
The flower that represents home to Esperanza
Roses
Literary device that means assigning human qualities or traits to nonliving objects
Personification
Name of the era that was known for mass unemployment, soup kitchens, and Hoovervilles
The Great Depression
What decade does the story take place?
1920s
What nickname does Miguel have for Esperanza?
Mi Reina (my queen)
OR
Anza
Who said:
“The rich take care of the rich and the poor take care of those who have less than they have”
Miguel
The girl who bullies Esperanza at the migrant camp
Marta
The bird that symbolizes rebirth and renewed strength
Phoenix
Literary term that means the perspective from which a story is told (example: first person, third person, etc.)
Point of View
The name of the city Esperanza is from
Aguascalientes
Esperanza's two jobs at the labor camp
Babysitting and sweeping
Who said:
“Here, we have two choices. To be together and miserable or to be together and happy. Mija, we have each other and Abuelita will come. How would she want you to behave? I choose to be happy. So which will you choose?”
Mama (Ramona)
The name of all three characters who work for Esperanza's family and later help Esperanza and Mama move to the U.S.
Alfonso, Hortensia, Miguel
What is the symbolism of onions in the novel?
Bitterness/ Sadness / Complexity
Discriminating against people based on the shade or tone of their skin
Colorism
The princess that Esperanza is compared to
Cinderella
Who said:
“I hear that in the United States, you do not need una palanca [a lever]. That even the poorest man can become rich if he works hard enough.”
Miguel