Esperanza Rising

This was the first time I have ever read Esperanza Rising, and I found it to be an incredible book. Esperanza is such an amazing character and was a pleasure to watch grow and change throughout the book. I decided to try some new notebook strategies that really examined how she was feeling and what her beliefs were.

First, I tried out this cultural x-ray, to see what it was that Esperanza loved and valued. I realized though that these changed a lot through the book, so I also decided to do a timeline of her feelings.

Esperanza was definitely not a static character, she showed immense amounts of change and growth both in mind and in character. As seen in the x-ray she really did value her family and loved that very much. That was why it was so difficult when her father died for her to accept her new lifestyle. However, it was that same love for her family that manifested itself in a new way when her mother got sick. Esperanza became determined to do whatever she had to do to help her get better. That meant working in the fields, something I am sure she never thought she would ever do. She worked for practically nothing, to help sustain the family and to bring Abuelita to her mother. This showed how much she grew up throughout the book, that she was willing to give completely of herself, and to truly embrace her new lifestyle. I found it interesting that I described Esperanza as happy both in the beginning of the book and at the end. Despite all of the changes that she went through, she was able to find happiness in the end. Her life was flipped upside down, and I am not sure I would have dealt with things much different than she did. She really had to experience something completely new, something she did not feel she deserved. Even her mother, who appeared to be the strong one, was not able to sustain her strength through all that they had to go through. Esperanza was forced to grow up throughout this story, doing things she never had before. She had to care for children, work in the fields, cook, clean and even live a completely different lifestyle. The privilege and power she had experienced throughout her entire life were wiped away from her in the blink of an eye. This story could really be used a lesson to all of how to overcome adversity, in many different ways. 

Overall, after reading this book I found that I was struck with so many emotions as a reader. I felt the heartbreak that Esperanza felt with the loss of her father. I felt the sacrifice that her mother made to move her family away instead of a live a life where they all would have been miserable. At times I did not like Esperanza, when she would get upset over not having all the material things she had before, or say rude things to Miguel. However, when I take a step back I realize that I do not know how I would react if everything I am used to was taken away from me. While I do not lead a life of as much privilege as Esperanza had, I do enjoy many luxuries that I would be upset to live without. This book really made me look at myself after looking at the characters. I think that books like this are important for students (and adults) to take part in, because the emotions characters experience are very real and allow you to really feel as if you are part of the story at times. 

After reading I have a few questions lingering in my mind. I am not hyper-aware of cultural practices in Mexico, but this seems to align with what I have read in history books previously. However, I am aware that not all of the information is always completely accurate. So I am left to wonder, how culturally accurate is this book? Would people of Mexican descent feel they could relate to it? Do Esperanza's struggles paint Mexicans in a negative/positive light, depending on what part of the book you might focus?