Grief and Emotion
This song reminds Esperanza that it is her birthday and brings her painful memories of Papa.
What is “Las Mañanitas”?
These fruits symbolize Papa’s love and his sweet intentions for Esperanza.
What are the papayas?
This family member legally owns the land after Papa’s death.
Who is Tío Luis?
This character delivers the papayas to the house.
Who is Señor Rodríguez?
Papa was killed while doing this task.
What is mending a fence?
Esperanza refuses to open these because they remind her of the birthday celebration she was supposed to have.
What are her birthday gifts?
The rosehips symbolize this idea about memories.
What is that memories of beauty and love remain even after something is gone?
Tío Luis proposes this shocking solution to “solve” Mama’s housing problem.
What is marriage?
This character comforts Esperanza when she cries about the papayas.
Who is Hortensia?
The funeral and rosaries lasted this many days.
What is three days?
At night, Mama and Esperanza often do this together after hearing each other cry.
What is holding each other until morning?
Tío Luis sitting in Papa’s chair symbolizes this.
What is his attempt to take power and replace Papa?
Why does Tío Luis want to marry Mama besides affection?
What is to gain political power and influence?
This character warns Mama that Tío Luis is dangerous.
Who is the lawyer?
One of Esperanza’s birthday gifts is this famous book.
What is Don Quijote?
Esperanza’s tears in the study change from sadness to this emotion when she sees Tío Luis wearing Papa’s belt buckle.
What is anger (or indignation)?
The overripe smell of the papayas at night symbolizes this change in Esperanza’s life.
What is that her old life is ending or decaying?
Why can’t Abuelita easily take her money out of the bank?
What is because the bank belongs to Tío Luis?
This character talks about leaving for the United States to find opportunity.
Who is Miguel?
Tío Luis threatens Mama by saying she will regret this.
What is refusing his marriage proposal?
Explain why the papayas make Esperanza feel both love and pain at the same time.
What is because Papa ordered them for her birthday, showing his love, but he died before the celebration?
Miguel says, “In Mexico we stand on different sides of the river.” This symbolizes what larger issue?
What is the social class divide between rich and poor?
Explain how this chapter shows that power in society favors men over women.
What is because land is not usually left to women and Mama cannot legally own the ranch land?
Why does Mama refuse Tío Luis’s proposal even though it would protect her financially?
What is because she values dignity, love, and independence over power and money?
At the end of the chapter, Esperanza tries to do this each night.
What is find the dream where Papa is singing to her?