Esperanza Rising Character Quiz

Characters

• Abuelita: Grandmother who enjoys crocheting, has a peppermint scent, and carries smooth stones.
• Ada: Mother of Marta.
• Alfonso: Close friend of Papa and husband to Hortensia.
• Chiquita: Isabel's pet cat.
• Doctor: Provides medical care for Ramona when she falls ill.
• Esperanza: A 12-year-old girl learning to run a farm to support her mother.
• Hortensia: Alfonso's wife and a servant for Esperanza's family in Mexico.
• Irene: Melina's mother, who lives in the camp and has long gray hair.
• Isabel: Third grader who enjoys listening to Esperanza’s childhood stories.
• Josefina: Juan's wife and mother to Isabel, Lupe, and Pepe.
• Juan: Josefina's husband who offers shelter to Esperanza's family and friends in America.
• Lawyer: Advises Esperanza on the threats posed by her uncles and interprets Papa's will.
• Lupe: Josefina’s twin daughter known for wearing gold earrings.
• Marisol: Esperanza's close friend in Mexico.
• Marta: Teenage girl advocating for better wages and living conditions through a strike.
• Melina: Daughter of Irene, her husband is from Aguascalientes.
• Miguel: Flees to America with family; aspires to be a mechanic for the railroad.
• Mr. Yakota: Kind store owner who treats Mexicans with respect.
• Pepe: Josefina’s twin son who has a strong bond with Esperanza.
• Ramona: Contracts Valley Fever and narrowly avoids dying from an infection.
• Señor Rodriguez: Wealthy landowner aiding in Esperanza’s escape.
• Silvia: Best friend of Isabel.
• Sixto Ortega: Wealthy landowner murdered by his stepbrothers over property disputes.
• Tío Luis: Papa's stepbrother serving as the bank president.
• Tío Marco: Papa's stepbrother, who holds the position of town mayor.

Key Themes & Elements

• Las Uvas: Workers in the Ortega family’s employ harvest grapes on the family orchard.
• Las Papayas: Papayas are ordered by Papa for Esperanza's birthday celebration.
• Los Higos: Esperanza's escape through a fig orchard; she stomps on the figs.
• Las Guayabas: Esperanza, Ramona, and Hortensia hide in a wagon loaded with guavas.
• Los Melones: Esperanza's family collects melons during their journey to the camp.
• Las Cebollas: Represents the start of a new life in America; onion season is a challenging time for Esperanza.
• Las Almendras: Esperanza and Isabel shell almonds for flan preparation.
• Las Ciruelas: Esperanza feeds babies mashed plums, which leads to illness.
• Las Papas: Following Ramona’s sickness, Esperanza works on a farm removing potato eyes.
• Los Aguacates: Hortensia crafts a hand salve from avocados to comfort Esperanza’s hands.
• Los Esparragos: Asparagus season coincides with a strike, during which Esperanza aids Marta.

Vocabulary

• abuelita: Spanish term for grandmother.
• adobe: A type of clay commonly used for building.
• barren: Condition describing land that cannot produce vegetation.
• burlap: Sturdy fabric often used for carrying items like potatoes.
• campesinos: Spanish word for farmers.
• crochet: Handcraft technique involving knitting.
• gata: Spanish term for cat.
• immigration: The act of entering a new country.
• nieta: Spanish word for granddaughter.
• plaited: Describes something that is braided.
• quinceañera: A celebration for a young girl’s 15th birthday.
• valise: Small suitcase used for traveling.
• vaqueros: Spanish term for cowboys.
• visa: Authorization allowing entry to a country for a defined period.
• waif: A neglected or homeless child.