Enrique's Journey Chapter 2 Flashcards

Enrique's Journey Overview

• Enrique's mother hails from Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras.
• Honduras serves as the backdrop for Enrique's challenges and journey.

Lourdes' Experience

• Lourdes, Enrique's mother, worked various jobs including as a tomato packer, nanny, and house cleaner to support her family.
• She left Enrique at a bus station in California when seeking to migrate to the U.S.

The Author and Themes

• The narrative of Enrique's journey is authored by Sonia Nazario.
• A central theme is abandonment, showcasing the emotional impact of parental separation on children.

Migration Insights

• The average age of young male immigrants is around 15 years old.
• Children, driven by parents, money, and a desire to escape violence and abuse, often embark on perilous journeys.

Enrique's Background

• Enrique and his siblings were aged 5 and 7 when their mother left them to seek a better life.
• After his mother’s departure, Enrique lived with his grandmother in Honduras.

Emotional Challenges

• Enrique feels a profound void, prioritizing his mother's presence over material possessions like games or shoes.
• Lourdes experiences embarrassment stemming from poverty and a sense of unfulfilled potential, living in minimal conditions.

Migration Attempts

• Enrique attempts to migrate to the U.S. seven times before succeeding on his eighth attempt.
• The journey involves treacherous conditions, including encountering a whirlpool in the Rio Grande.

The Journey's Perils

• Migrants face significant dangers, including exploitation by police who may rob, rape, or use excessive force against them.
• Nicknamed "Iron Worm," "the beast," and "train of the dead," the trains are a common yet dangerous means of travel for migrants.

Assistance and Survival

• Encountering severe hardship, a small-town mayor in Mexico assists Enrique with medical bills when he is near death.
• One essential item for migrants to remember is emergency phone numbers for safety and communication.

Reunion Dynamics

• Upon reuniting with Lourdes, Enrique and his mother find they have become strangers due to the long separation.
• Eventually, Enrique settles in Florida, marking a critical point in his pursuit of a better future.

Test your knowledge on Chapter 2 of 'Enrique's Journey' with these flashcards. Cover key terms and concepts including characters, locations, and author details. Perfect for students looking to deepen their understanding of the text.