Week of November 13-17


Chapter 11 ( Los Esparragos)


1. Describe the new work environment around the sheds and the fields.
2. Explain how the strikers affected the workers and the rate of production.
3. Refer to page 204. What can you say about the change in noise level?
4. What conclusions can you draw from the Immigration sweep?
5. Elaborate on the reason's Esperanza chooses to keep Marta hidden from the immigration officials.



Chapter 12 ( Los Duraznos)


1. Elaborate on the reason Isabel compares "Queen of the May" and Esperanza as La Reyna.
2. Compare/Contrast the reactions of Esperanza and Miguel to the treatment of Mexicans.
3. Describe Esperanza's rant on page 221. What does she think Miguel feels, hearing her statements to him?
4. Miguel told his father he was going to northern California to look for railroads work. In your interpretation of this text, is Miguel's reasoning convincing?
5. From Page 227, elaborate on the reason Esperanza tells Isabel, "I want you to have something that will last more than one day"?
6. What can you say about Esperanza's reactions when she discovers the money orders are missing?



Chapter 13 (Las Uvas)

1. When Miguel first steps off the bus Los Angeles, how does Esperanza feel?
2. How does Esperanza's attitude toward Miguel change when she realized Miguel brought Abuelita to California.
3. Explain the importance of Esperanza's explanation as she retells the journey over the past year.
4. What is the significance of her story in the time span of fruits and vegetables?
5. The first chapter is entitled "Las Uvas",and the last chapter is also entitled " Las Uvas". Why did the author do this? How does this relate to the timeline of the story?
6. In the begging of the novel, Papa tell Esperanza, "aguantate tantito y la fruta caera en tu mano," yet Esperanza does not understand the true meaning. In the fist chapter, Esperanza now experiences this moment with Miguel. what do you notice about the change with Miguel. What do you notice about this change in Esperanza?
7. At the very end of the novel, Isabel is learning to crochet. Why is it important that Esperanza is the person who says, "Do not ever be afraid to start to start over"?