Esperanza: Chapter Summaries

Study Notes

Chapter 1

The narrator receives multiple phone calls; two are from her mother and two are from an unknown person breathing into the phone.
The mother's concern revolves around Alberto's involvement in anti-government protests, which poses a danger to the narrator and her children.

Chapter 2

The narrator takes her children to the market where they experience chaos; Ricardito and the baby cry during the trip.
Ricardito falls ill, expressing a desire to see his father, but the narrator is unaware of Alberto's whereabouts.

Chapter 3

The next morning, the narrator is anxious about Alberto’s absence.
She receives a call from Alberto, revealing he received life threats and must leave the country within 24 hours.
They plan to reunite in Chiapas, Mexico, for their escape.

Chapter 4

The narrator and her children visit Tía Tete for food and assistance with their escape.
After receiving money from Tía Tete, they walk three hours to the bus station.
They encounter a soldier who questions the narrator's intentions; she claims she is visiting an aunt, and he becomes distracted by protests, allowing them to continue.

Chapter 5

On the bus to Chiapas, they face a military checkpoint where soldiers demand bribes.
A man is arrested for refusing to bribe; the narrator gives the soldiers a 300 quetzal bribe.
They stay in Chiapas for several months and eventually head back to Guatemala City while waiting for Alberto to direct them to the USA.

Chapter 6

The narrator attends her cousin's memorial service and receives a call from Alberto, who has just reached the USA safely.
Alberto traveled through Mexico disguised with a guayabera shirt, costing him $600 to cross the border with a coyote.
He insists the narrator join him in the USA, despite her hesitations about leaving her children.

Chapter 7

The narrator endures a four-day bus trip to Tijuana while avoiding trouble and managing her funds.
At midnight, she hires a coyote for $600 to assist her in crossing the border, but encounters issues with border patrol and ends up in detention.
She meets Lucy, who offers support and introduces her to a coyote named Beto for a future crossing.

Chapter 8

At 1:30 AM, the narrator waits for Beto, who takes her to the beach before they flee through the desert.
They evade border patrol and reach a waiting car that transports them to a gas station in San Diego, where Alberto awaits.
The narrator struggles with sleep on the ride to Los Angeles, worried about her children left behind.

Chapter 9

The couple attends appointments seeking political asylum; facing challenges with untrustworthy lawyers.
They learn that their children must be present at the asylum meeting to secure their status as well.

Chapter 10 and Epilogue

Alberto devises a plan to bring the children to the U.S.; the narrator's grandmother transports them from Guatemala to Chiapas.
In Chiapas, Alberto's brother guides the children on a four-day trip to Tijuana.
A coyote successfully crosses the children into the U.S. while they are asleep, avoiding inspections.
The family reunites in California, gaining political asylum and permanent residency, with plans to apply for citizenship.

Description

This quiz provides concise summaries of the first two chapters of 'Esperanza'. Explore the narrator's challenges, including family dynamics and external pressures. Test your understanding of the key events and themes presented in these chapters.