Gender and Ethnicity Matter
Esperanza's attraction to this character shows her growing sexual maturity
Who is Sire?
The term that Esperanza uses to refer to her grandfather.
What is Abuelito?
The name of the man who Marin meets at a dance.
Who is Geraldo?
This was the sport that Esperanza’s aunt did when she was younger.
What is swimming?
What is the likely reason why people in the neighborhood cannot agree on what Earl’s wife looks like?
What is he is a womanizer and/or has prostitutes coming to his house.
The ethnic background of Geraldo.
What is Mexican?
At least one of the Spanish dances that Marin likes to do.
What are Cumbias, Salsas and/or Rancheras?
This is the daughter of the mean landlord who owns the apartment building next to Esperanza’s home. She likes to play with the children and even though she is a grown-up, she acts childish.
Who is Ruthie?
This is the disability that Esperanza’s Aunt Lupe has.
What is blindness?
The reason Aunt Lupe tell Esperanza she should keep writing?
What is she thinks it will keep her free?
Why Esperanza is at a loss for what to do when she sees her father cry.
What is she has never seen him cry before?
The importance of religion in Esperanza’s life is shown by this reaction when she reflects on the fact that she made fun of Aunt Lupe the day before she died
What is she thinks she will go to hell?
This is the name of Sire’s girlfriend.
Who is Lois?
The items that Earl repairs for his job.
What are jukeboxes?
The kind of house that the witch woman see in Esperanza’s future.
What is a house of the heart?
The significance of the passing of Esperanza’s grandfather and her father's trip to Mexico in terms of its effect on gender roles.
What is Esperanza must assume the role of her father while he goes to the funeral in Mexico?
This is the Spanish term that the witch woman uses when telling Esperanza that otherworldly forces are present.
What are los esperitus?
The name of the witch woman who Esperanza visits.
Who is Elenita?
Esperanza first met Ruthie when Angel Vagras was teaching her to do this and Ruthie came by showcasing her talent at this skill.
What is whistling?
At least two of the three things that the witch woman sees in Esperanza’s future.
What are jealousy, sorrow, and luxury?
The neighborhood’s response, including Esperanza’s mother, to these two different characters reveals the neighborhood’s double standard towards the sexes as this man’s womanizing is not judged whereas this girl has a bad reputation for being with Sire.
Who are Earl and Lois.
The witch woman who Esperanza sees shows evidence that she has blended together these two religions.
What are Christianity/Catholicism and Paganism/Voodoo? (She has a Palm Sunday cross and makes the sign of the cross when she is with Esperanza and also tells her “may the Virgin bless you.” She also has a picture of a voodoo hand in her apartment.)
Esperanza and these two friends made fun of her Aunt Lupe just before she died.
Who are Rachel and Lucy?
This is the book that Esperanza reads to her aunt and both of them enjoy.
What is The Waterbabies?
Esperanza’s poem that she wrote and reads to her aunt expresses her desire to do this (please indicate both literally and figuratively)?
What is jump out of her skin and shake the sky (like 100 violins). What is she wants to escape from who she is and have an impact on the world?