Have you ever felt like you were drowning away from reality? You see everything passing you, but have no idea what to do. Sometimes we just crumble under the weight of pressure and the heavy burden of trying to keep everything in line. Have you ever just felt so lost and angry that you were helplessly unsure? Sometimes, us as humans make mistakes, but we need to learn from them and move on. Most of the time accepting things in life is really the hardest thing in reality. Like in the books Esperanza Rising and The Lions of Little Rock. At first glance these two books may not seem like they can relate to this, or even to the same thing at that, but they truly can. Esperanza Rising is about a girl named Esperanza that had a miraculous change …show more content…
in her life by one event. Lions Of Little Rock is about Segregation and trusting one another. On top of this, both amazing books also share the theme of sticking up for what you believe in, no matter how hard the choice is. An important theme in the book Esperanza Rising is to not always do what is easy, but what is right.
Additionally, a theme in the book The Lions Of Little Rock is friends are worth taking risks for.
I think the theme in the book Esperanza Rising is to not always do what is easy, but what is right because in the book Mama stood up to Tio Luis. In the book Tio Luis and his brother killed Esperanza’s father, burned down her family's house, and posed threats to burn down more if he “needs” to. Tio Luis did this to try and steal Esperanza's mom and marry her, and to gain even more power and “loyalty”. On page 32 the author wrote, “Mama’s face looked as if it were in terrible pain. She stood up and spoke slowly and deliberately. ‘I have no desire to marry you, Luis, now or ever. Frankly, your offer offends me.” Tio Luis and Luis Marco had lots of power in this book. For example, in the book the brothers were the bank president and one of them was the mayor of the town! In order for Mama to stand up to him takes lots of courage. Since she stood up to Luis and said NO she knew she would put her family and friends at risk, yet she still did it. This proves that you need to do what is right rather than taking the easy path. If Mama were to say yes to Tio Luis and Tio Marco then Mama and Esperanza
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would have been separated and miserable. “Mama sat on the bed opposite her, their knees almost touching. ‘Esperanza, if we had stayed in Mexico and I had married Tio Luis, we would have one choice. To be apart and miserable. Here we have two choices. To be together and miserable or be together and happy.” This justifies my theme because it explains that it is important to takes risks. In the book the author said that Esperanza and her close family, plus their “servant” moved to California to get away from Mexico. Because they made that choice together, now they have more freedom and do not have to live in as much fear. Plus, they can be happy, and together. Even though the book gives great examples of doing what is right and not easy, there are smaller examples too that will slip out of your reach before you can look back if you don’t keep your eyes peeled open. Lie on page__ when the author wrote, “Abuelita smiled, reached over, and pulled the yarn, unravelling all of Esperanza's rows. ‘Do not be afraid to start over,’ she said” This is a small detail that means a lot. Even though it seems like Abuelita is just talking about crocheting there is a bigger picture to look for. For example, Abuelita might be talking about life. Not being afraid of starting over in life, like when Esperanza’s family started over in California. One reason why I think the theme in the book The Lions of Little Rock is friends are worth taking risks for is because in the book Marlee stood up to Red, a vicious character, to save her friend, Liz. In the book Liz and Marlee were at the Rock Crusher, one of their favorite hideouts, when Red and his brother JT came along. At the time segregation was still major. Since Liz was black she was a problem when it came to hanging out with white people. Ever since Red found out Liz and Marlee were friends, he had been trying to hunt them down, and catch them together. Sometimes even worse, like trying to blow up Liz’s house! On page 206-207 the author wrote, “I’m leaving. You two can stay and play with the rodents if you want.’ I turned and started walking. Praying they would follow me.” This shows that Marlee really does think that friends are worth taking risks for. Red is probably the most dangerous person Marlee and Liz know, yet Marlee stood up to him and JT to save Liz. That not only announces how good of a friend Marlee is, but also how close of a relationship the two girls have. From this scene it is clear that Liz and Marlee have a relationship worth fighting for. “I think a friend is someone who helps you change for the better. And whether you see them once a day or once a year, if it's a true friend, it doesn't matter.” said Kristin Levine. This is kind of the relationship that Marlee and Liz have, they are so close, yet they barely get to see each other anymore towards the end of the book. The two books signal a great theme if you dig deep.
It explains to stick up for what you believe in, no matter how hard the decision. In the book Esperanza Rising it shows this on page 17-18, “She couldn’t imagine being matched with someone she had never met. So she announced, “I am going to marry Miguel!” Mama laughed at her and said, “You will feel differently when you get older.” Evidence from the book hints at how important it is to do something that you think is worth sticking up for. Because Esperanza knew that she might not have the chance to state her feelings for Miguel she said what she felt towards Miguel while she still could. Although her thoughts may have not gone far, at least Miguel would know what her impression is on
him. In the book The Lions Of Little Rock it shows why you should stick up for what you believe in, even if it is hard choice because in the book on page 47 it reads, “Are you really going to speak during that presentation?’ ‘I think so’ I said. Daddy patted me on the shoulder, and when I glanced at him, I could see pride in his eyes.” The quote here really illustrates that great things that can come of sticking up for what you think is right, even if it is a harder/est decision. To add on, Marlee seldom spoke outside her house or to anybody besides her family. When she agreed to give a speech to at least a dozen kids by herself it shows how much her friends matter to her and that she is willing to anything for them. Marlee did it for her friends and she did it to show people that she was brave and was not going to ignore something that her friends and family are depending on her doing. These two books are not obviously not the same story, but they definitely share the same theme like I said earlier in the book. Overall these two books demonstrate outstanding themes that shout out to you and speak life lessons that most definitely can be used in reality! Weather that means sticking up for what you believe in, no matter how hard the choice is,not always doing what is easy, but what is right, and that friends really are worth taking risks for.
The first challenge Esperanza faced as an immigrant was when mama got valley fever, ‘’ Esperanzas voice strangled with fear all she could do was whisper the doctors uncertain word if she survives.’’ This quote shows that Esperanza is scared that mama might die, since
In the book, Esperanza doesn’t want to follow the norms of the life around her; she wants to be independent. Esperanza states her independence by stating, “Not a man’s house. Not a daddy’s. A house all my own,” (Cisneros 108.) The syntax of these sentences stick out and are not complete thoughts, yet they convey much meaning and establish Esperanza’s feeling of not belonging. Esperanza’s feeling of not belonging is also emphasized when her sisters tell her that the events of her life have made her who she is and that is something she can not get rid of. Her sisters explain that the things she has experienced made her who she is by saying, “You will always be esperanza. You will always be mango street. You can’t erase what you know” (105.) What her sisters are trying to tell her is that the past has changed her but it doesn’t have to be a negative thing; it can be used to make her a better person who is stronger and more independent. Esperanza realizes that the things around her don’t really add up to what she believes is right, which also conveys the sense of not
Esperanza Rising is a fiction novel about a young girl named Esperanza Ortega. The story first takes place in the mid 1920’s, years after the Mexican Revolution, on a ranch in Aguascalientes, Mexico. Esperanza Ortega is from a wealthy family, as her father is an affluent landowner. However, Esperanza’s father is killed by outlaws who still remained resentful to landowners after the Mexican revolution ended. Thereafter, the Ortega family continues to experience more struggles which causes them to escape to California during the time of the Great Depression. Esperanza is faced with new challenges of a drastically different lifestyle full of manual labor, financial and economic hardship, and personal battles as she lives in a labor camp in California. As time passes, a situation occurs which puts Esperanza’s family in jeopardy, in doing so, Esperanza takes course in this new challenge to save her family.
In an earlier chapter, Esperanza meets with a witch, whom she hopes will tell her future only to be told, “Come back again on a Thursday when the stars are stronger” (72). However, when speaking to The Three Sisters toward the end of the story, they tell her to make a wish and say “You will always be Esperanza. You will always be Mango Street” (113). Rather than seek out her fate, the Fates (three sisters from Greek Mythology) have come seeking Esperanza. It has been confirmed that her wish to leave will come true, but remind her to remember her experiences as they have shaped who she is. In the article, “Interview with Sandra Cisneros”, Cisneros will tell her students to “make a list of the things that make you different from anyone in this room...in your community...your family...your gender (1). Cisneros uses this very idea in her writings of Esperanza: Her individuality is key- Esperanza’s identity as a writer and her background give her a unique voice that will allow her to speak up for those who have no
Even if you are rich, you have to go through bad news. Bad news comes in everyone’s life. In the book Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan, Esperanza used to be in Mexico living her happy and rich life. Her
Bad things can happen to good people and your life can get better are some of the greatest themes of Esperanza Rising. For example, in the last sentence of the novel, Esperanza tells Isabel, ”Do not ever be afraid to start over.”(253) This quote was almost the same statement Abuelita told Esperanza while crocheting a blanket, but Esperanza never thought she would turn back to it, until Papa died and sure enough, Esperanza didn’t want to start over. She held on to everything from her magnificent, princess-like life, especially her doll. She didn’t know her life would never be the same again, but after living in California for a while, she looked back at what Abuelita told her and learned to let go of her past, even giving her favorite, special doll from Papa, to Isabel. Papa’s death broke Esperanza to pieces, but when she moved to California she took a turn for the better because she learned a lot of everyday skills, such as sweeping, cleaning clothes, and how to work which benefitted her and she embraced her life and enjoyed everyday.
“Mama looked at Esperanza with eyes that said, “forgive me.” Then she dropped her head and stared at the ground. I will consider your proposal,” said Mama”. (Ryan 45). Shortly after her dad died, Esperanza’s mother has been asked to marry Tio Luis, (her husbands brother). This not only affects her mother, it affects her as well. One shouldn’t have to go through certain situations. It’s difficult because it may seem like her mother has a choice, but she truly doesn’t. If the culture wasn’t Mexican, aspects would be completely different. “She watched and wondered how she would fit into this world”. (Ryan 101). If it were a different culture, Esperanza wouldn’t have to marry a stranger, and her family wouldn’t have to speed through their problems. If the culture was American for instance, Esperanza wouldn’t have to get married at a young age.In this novel, English is often used. “Please, Mama,” she begged, “You must eat more soup”. (Ryan 170). When they fled to California, they experienced new things. In America, the majority of citizens speaks English. Esperanza and her family are exposed to a completely divergent culture. In Mexico, they’re used to perceiving spanish, but since they’re in America now, they’re perceiving mainy
Esperanza is a young girl who struggles with feelings of loneliness and feeling that she doesn’t fit in because she is poor. She always wanted to fit in with the other kids and feel like she was one of them. She loves to write because it helps her feel better about herself writing about her life and her community. Writing helps her with
Esperanza Rising, by Pam Munoz Ryan, is a book about a wealthy girl, Esperanza, who must flee to the United States and serve as a farm worker after her house is burned and her father killed. Throughout her journey Esperanza meets many new people, most of them peasants, and is forced out of her comfortable life. Esperanza’s confrontations with class differences in Mexico, during her train journey, and in California, symbolize stages in her transformation from a privileged young girl to skilled and hard working young woman.
Esperanza is relying on her childhood to help her through life she feels like “a red balloon tied to an anchor” (9,1,3) This passage describes that Esperanza singles herself out for her differences instead of her similarities and she knows it. She also sees her differences as a source of her isolating herself. She floats in the sky for all of the rest of us to see, dangling from a string. Esperanza is longing on for an escape like a balloon similar to her experiences with our society. However against the face that Cisneroz gives her a light voice, doesn't mean that it's not just as strong and
Many are confined in a marriage in which they are unhappy with, and are reductant to make a change. Some are committed to make a change for themselves. Esperanza ponders each one of these women's lives. Through each role model Esperanza gains crucial life lessons on how to overcome different life hardships. Through some women like her great-grandmother and Ruthie, Esperanza learns she must take control her fate, to avoid marrying young, and not let a male figure dictate her future. Other women like Alicia, Esperanza learns to keep pursuing goals in life and to take control of her destiny no matter what obstruction may lay ahead. From Esperanza’s role models, the moral lesson that can be taken away is to be proactive about your life and to shape your own future. Everyone is a role model to somebody in their life. Strive to leave a positive message behind for the ones shadowing in your
Imagine being born into a rich, wealthy family, where your last name is respected and well-known by many. To say, living in a big, beautiful house and able to wear fancy silk dresses, so fortunate, that you have servants to cook and clean for you, and every year when it’s your birthday, it’s celebrated big, just as Esperanza Ortega did. Throughout the story of Esperanza Rising the author Pam Munoz Ryan ( 2013) illustrates an image to the reader of a young, rich, Mexican girl who is forced to mature and grow up much faster than expected. Correspondly, at the beginning of the book, Esperanza lives a rich life, to say, she had it “all,” but a sudden tragedy quickly changed her and her family’s life, whereas by the end of the story, Esperanza
... They didn’t seem to be my feet anymore. And the garden that had been such a good place to play didn’t seem mine either” (Cisneros 98). The play place that was once so innocent and is now a junkyard that reciprocates Esperanza’s innocence that slowly turns into reality. She is growing up. Additionally, she gains enough confidence and maturity to make her own life decisions. This is shown when she makes the important decision of where she wants her life to take her. “I have decided not to grow up tame like the others who lay their necks on the threshold waiting for the ball and chain” (Cisneros 88). This shows Esperanza’s maturity to make her own life choices by herself. She is finally confident and independent enough to know where she wants her life to take her. Esperanza finally completes her evolution from young and immature to adult-like and confident.
Esperanza is a very strong woman in herself. Her goals are not to forget her "reason for being" and "to grow despite the concrete" so as to achieve a freedom that's not separate from togetherness.
Esperanza dreams of someday having a satisfying life. She doesn't want her path of freedom to be cleared by having a baby or finding a husband. She has no desires to fall into the trap of dependency. As the author writes, "Her power is her own. She will not give it away" (Cisneros 89).