Question
from Esperanza Rising
by Pam Muñoz Ryan
Pam Muñoz Ryan based the novel Esperanza Rising on the experiences of her grandmother, Esperanza Ortega,
who went from a life of privilege in Mexico to the difficult life of an immigrant farm worker in California in the
1930s. In the book, Ryan imagines her grandmother as a 13-year-old girl who has just lost her father and her
home on a large, successful ranch. Her father’s ruthless brother tries to force her mother to marry him, so
Esperanza and Mama decide to travel to the United States with their trusted former servants Alfonso, Hortensia,
and Miguel, whose relatives can get them work in the fields. All Esperanza has left of her old life is a beautiful
doll her father gave her for her last birthday.
1 Esperanza stood at the station in Zacatecas, tugging at the second-hand dress. It didn’t fit properly
and was the most awful yellow. And even though they had been out of the wagon for some hours, she still
smelled like guavas. It had taken them two days to arrive in Zacatecas, but finally, that morning, they left the
wagon hidden in a thicket of shrubs and trees and walked into town. After the discomfort of the wagon, she
was looking forward to the train.
2 The locomotive arrived pulling a line of cars and hissing and spewing steam. But they did not board
the fancy car with the compartments and leather seats or the dining car with the while linens. Instead,
Alfonso led them to a car with rows of wooden benches, like church pews facing each other, already crowded
with peasants. Trash littered the floor and it reeked of rotting fruit and urine. A man with a small goat on his
lap grinned at Esperanza, revealing no teeth. Three barefoot children, two boys and girl, crowded near their
mother. Their legs were chalky with dust, their clothes were in tatters, and their hair was grimy. An old, frail
beggar woman pushed by them to the back of the car, clutching a picture of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Her hand
was outstretched for alms.
3 Esperanza had never been so close to so many peasants before. When she went to school, all of her
friends were like her. When she went to town, she was escorted and hurried around any beggars. And the
peasants always kept their distance. That was simply the way it was. She couldn’t help but wonder if they
would steal her things.
4 “Mama,” said Esperanza, stopping in the doorway. “We cannot travel in this car. It . . . it is not clean.
And the people do not look trustworthy.” Esperanza saw Miguel frown as he edged around her to sit down.
5 Mama took her hand and guided her to an empty bench where Esperanza slid over next to the
window. “Papa would never have had us sit here and Abuelita wouldn’t approve,” she said, stubbornly.
6 “Mija, it is all we can afford,” said Mama. “We must make do. It is not easy for me either. But
remember, we are going to a place that will be better than living with Tío Luis, and at least we will be
together.” The train pulled out and settled into a steady motion. Hortensia and Mama took out their
crocheting. Mama was using a small hook and white cotton thread to make carpetas, lace doilies, to put under
a lamp or a vase. She held up her work to Esperanza and smiled. “Would you like to learn?”
Part 5: Independent Practice
Downloaded by K. Green Gradney. This resource expires on 6/30/2024.
Lesson 18
©Curriculum Associates, LLC Copying is not permitted.
L18: Analyzing Point of View 177
7 Esperanza shook her head. Why did Mama bother crocheting lace? They had no vases or lámparas to
put on top of them. Esperanza leaned her head against the window. She knew she did not belong here. She was
Esperanza Ortega from El Rancho de las Rosas. She crossed her arms tight and stared out the window.
8 For hours, Esperanza watched the undulating land pass in front of her. Everything seemed to remind her
of what she had left behind: the nopales reminded her of Abuelita who loved to eat the prickly pear cactus sliced
and soaked in vinegar and oil; the dogs from small villages that barked and ran after the train reminded her of
Marisol, whose dog, Capitán, chased after trains the same way. And every time Esperanza saw a shrine decorated
with crosses, flowers, and miniature statues of saints next to the rails, she couldn’t help but wonder if it had been
someone’s father who had died on the tracks and if somewhere there was another girl who missed him, too.
9 Esperanza opened her valise1
to check on the doll, lifting it out and straightening her clothes. The
barefoot peasant girl ran over.
10 “Mona,” she said, and reached up to touch the doll. Esperanza quickly jerked it away and put it back
in the valise, covering it with the old clothes.
11 “¡Mona! ¡Mona!” said the little girl, running back to her mother. And then she began to cry.
12 Mama and Hortensia both stopped their needles and stared at Esperanza. Mama looked across at the
girl’s mother. “I am sorry for my daughter’s bad manners.” Esperanza looked at Mama in surprise. Why was
she apologizing to these people? She and mama shouldn’t even be sitting in this car.
13 Mama looked at Esperanza. “I don’t think it would have hurt to let her hold it for a few moments.”
14 “Mama, she is poor and dirty . . .” said Esperanza.
15 But Mama interrupted. “When you scorn these people, you scorn Miguel, Hortensia, and Alfonso.
And you embarrass me and yourself. As difficult as it is to accept, our lives are different now.”
16 The child kept crying. Her face was so dirty that her tears washed clean streaks down her cheeks.
Esperanza suddenly felt ashamed and the color rose in her face, but she still pushed the valise farther under
the seat with her feet and turned her body away from Mama.
1 valise: a small suitcase
Answer the questions.
1 How does the author’s cultural background influence the story?
A The author criticizes the conditions that migrant farm workers from Mexico faced.
B The author explains why many people immigrated to the United States in the 1930s.
C The author feels that Mexican immigrants are treated unfairly in the United States.
D The author writes about a situation similar to her Mexican grandmother’s.
Part 5: Independent Practice
Downloaded by K. Green Gradney. This resource expires on 6/30/2024.
Lesson 18
©Curriculum Associates, LLC Copying is not permitted.
178 L18: Analyzing Point of View
2 This question has two parts. Answer Part A, and then answer Part B.
Part A
Which statement best describes Mama’s point of view in the story?
A Mama thinks all people, even the poor and dirty, deserve respect and compassion.
B Mama secretly agrees with Esperanza but has to act as if she likes the peasants.
C Mama regrets that she and Esperanza have to work because they are poor now.
D Mama thinks Esperanza should protect the doll because it was her father’s last gift.
Part B
Which sentence from the story best supports the correct answer to Part A?
A “Why did Mama bother crocheting lace?”
B “Mama and Hortensia both stopped their needles and stared at Esperanza.”
C “‘I am sorry for my daughter’s bad manners.’”
D “As difficult as it is to accept, our lives are different now.”
3 Explain how the author’s cultural background is reflected in Mama’s point of view about
peasants in the story. Cite at least two details from the text to support your answer.
by Pam Muñoz Ryan
Pam Muñoz Ryan based the novel Esperanza Rising on the experiences of her grandmother, Esperanza Ortega,
who went from a life of privilege in Mexico to the difficult life of an immigrant farm worker in California in the
1930s. In the book, Ryan imagines her grandmother as a 13-year-old girl who has just lost her father and her
home on a large, successful ranch. Her father’s ruthless brother tries to force her mother to marry him, so
Esperanza and Mama decide to travel to the United States with their trusted former servants Alfonso, Hortensia,
and Miguel, whose relatives can get them work in the fields. All Esperanza has left of her old life is a beautiful
doll her father gave her for her last birthday.
1 Esperanza stood at the station in Zacatecas, tugging at the second-hand dress. It didn’t fit properly
and was the most awful yellow. And even though they had been out of the wagon for some hours, she still
smelled like guavas. It had taken them two days to arrive in Zacatecas, but finally, that morning, they left the
wagon hidden in a thicket of shrubs and trees and walked into town. After the discomfort of the wagon, she
was looking forward to the train.
2 The locomotive arrived pulling a line of cars and hissing and spewing steam. But they did not board
the fancy car with the compartments and leather seats or the dining car with the while linens. Instead,
Alfonso led them to a car with rows of wooden benches, like church pews facing each other, already crowded
with peasants. Trash littered the floor and it reeked of rotting fruit and urine. A man with a small goat on his
lap grinned at Esperanza, revealing no teeth. Three barefoot children, two boys and girl, crowded near their
mother. Their legs were chalky with dust, their clothes were in tatters, and their hair was grimy. An old, frail
beggar woman pushed by them to the back of the car, clutching a picture of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Her hand
was outstretched for alms.
3 Esperanza had never been so close to so many peasants before. When she went to school, all of her
friends were like her. When she went to town, she was escorted and hurried around any beggars. And the
peasants always kept their distance. That was simply the way it was. She couldn’t help but wonder if they
would steal her things.
4 “Mama,” said Esperanza, stopping in the doorway. “We cannot travel in this car. It . . . it is not clean.
And the people do not look trustworthy.” Esperanza saw Miguel frown as he edged around her to sit down.
5 Mama took her hand and guided her to an empty bench where Esperanza slid over next to the
window. “Papa would never have had us sit here and Abuelita wouldn’t approve,” she said, stubbornly.
6 “Mija, it is all we can afford,” said Mama. “We must make do. It is not easy for me either. But
remember, we are going to a place that will be better than living with Tío Luis, and at least we will be
together.” The train pulled out and settled into a steady motion. Hortensia and Mama took out their
crocheting. Mama was using a small hook and white cotton thread to make carpetas, lace doilies, to put under
a lamp or a vase. She held up her work to Esperanza and smiled. “Would you like to learn?”
Part 5: Independent Practice
Downloaded by K. Green Gradney. This resource expires on 6/30/2024.
Lesson 18
©Curriculum Associates, LLC Copying is not permitted.
L18: Analyzing Point of View 177
7 Esperanza shook her head. Why did Mama bother crocheting lace? They had no vases or lámparas to
put on top of them. Esperanza leaned her head against the window. She knew she did not belong here. She was
Esperanza Ortega from El Rancho de las Rosas. She crossed her arms tight and stared out the window.
8 For hours, Esperanza watched the undulating land pass in front of her. Everything seemed to remind her
of what she had left behind: the nopales reminded her of Abuelita who loved to eat the prickly pear cactus sliced
and soaked in vinegar and oil; the dogs from small villages that barked and ran after the train reminded her of
Marisol, whose dog, Capitán, chased after trains the same way. And every time Esperanza saw a shrine decorated
with crosses, flowers, and miniature statues of saints next to the rails, she couldn’t help but wonder if it had been
someone’s father who had died on the tracks and if somewhere there was another girl who missed him, too.
9 Esperanza opened her valise1
to check on the doll, lifting it out and straightening her clothes. The
barefoot peasant girl ran over.
10 “Mona,” she said, and reached up to touch the doll. Esperanza quickly jerked it away and put it back
in the valise, covering it with the old clothes.
11 “¡Mona! ¡Mona!” said the little girl, running back to her mother. And then she began to cry.
12 Mama and Hortensia both stopped their needles and stared at Esperanza. Mama looked across at the
girl’s mother. “I am sorry for my daughter’s bad manners.” Esperanza looked at Mama in surprise. Why was
she apologizing to these people? She and mama shouldn’t even be sitting in this car.
13 Mama looked at Esperanza. “I don’t think it would have hurt to let her hold it for a few moments.”
14 “Mama, she is poor and dirty . . .” said Esperanza.
15 But Mama interrupted. “When you scorn these people, you scorn Miguel, Hortensia, and Alfonso.
And you embarrass me and yourself. As difficult as it is to accept, our lives are different now.”
16 The child kept crying. Her face was so dirty that her tears washed clean streaks down her cheeks.
Esperanza suddenly felt ashamed and the color rose in her face, but she still pushed the valise farther under
the seat with her feet and turned her body away from Mama.
1 valise: a small suitcase
Answer the questions.
1 How does the author’s cultural background influence the story?
A The author criticizes the conditions that migrant farm workers from Mexico faced.
B The author explains why many people immigrated to the United States in the 1930s.
C The author feels that Mexican immigrants are treated unfairly in the United States.
D The author writes about a situation similar to her Mexican grandmother’s.
Part 5: Independent Practice
Downloaded by K. Green Gradney. This resource expires on 6/30/2024.
Lesson 18
©Curriculum Associates, LLC Copying is not permitted.
178 L18: Analyzing Point of View
2 This question has two parts. Answer Part A, and then answer Part B.
Part A
Which statement best describes Mama’s point of view in the story?
A Mama thinks all people, even the poor and dirty, deserve respect and compassion.
B Mama secretly agrees with Esperanza but has to act as if she likes the peasants.
C Mama regrets that she and Esperanza have to work because they are poor now.
D Mama thinks Esperanza should protect the doll because it was her father’s last gift.
Part B
Which sentence from the story best supports the correct answer to Part A?
A “Why did Mama bother crocheting lace?”
B “Mama and Hortensia both stopped their needles and stared at Esperanza.”
C “‘I am sorry for my daughter’s bad manners.’”
D “As difficult as it is to accept, our lives are different now.”
3 Explain how the author’s cultural background is reflected in Mama’s point of view about
peasants in the story. Cite at least two details from the text to support your answer.
Answers
Answered by
GPT-4o mini
Certainly! Below are the responses to the questions based on the provided excerpt from *Esperanza Rising* by Pam Muñoz Ryan.
### 1. How does the author’s cultural background influence the story?
**D** The author writes about a situation similar to her Mexican grandmother’s.
**Explanation:** The story is based on the author's grandmother's experiences as an immigrant from Mexico facing poverty and hardship in the U.S. The focus on themes like immigration, class differences, and cultural identity reflects the author's cultural background.
---
### 2. This question has two parts. Answer Part A, and then answer Part B.
**Part A:**
**A** Mama thinks all people, even the poor and dirty, deserve respect and compassion.
**Part B:**
**C** “I am sorry for my daughter’s bad manners.”
**Explanation:**
In Part A, Mama's belief in the inherent worth and dignity of all people, regardless of their socioeconomic status, is demonstrated through her reaction to the little peasant girl, indicating her desire for Esperanza to show respect and compassion. In Part B, the statement where Mama apologizes for Esperanza's behavior demonstrates her understanding of the importance of kindness toward others.
---
### 3. Explain how the author’s cultural background is reflected in Mama’s point of view about peasants in the story. Cite at least two details from the text to support your answer.
The author's cultural background is reflected in Mama's point of view about peasants through her emphasis on respect, compassion, and the shared humanity between people of different social classes.
One detail that supports this is when Mama tells Esperanza, “When you scorn these people, you scorn Miguel, Hortensia, and Alfonso.” This statement indicates that Mama values the relationships and community bonds they have with their former servants, suggesting that she understands the importance of treating everyone with dignity, regardless of their economic status.
Another detail is found in her apology to the mother of the little girl who wanted to hold Esperanza’s doll: “I am sorry for my daughter’s bad manners.” This shows that, despite their current hardships, Mama believes in demonstrating respect and kindness towards others, showcasing her belief that all people should be treated with compassion, reflecting her cultural values and experiences as an immigrant.
In summary, Mama's perspective highlights the importance of respect and empathy, which is deeply rooted in the cultural values the author reflects in the narrative.
### 1. How does the author’s cultural background influence the story?
**D** The author writes about a situation similar to her Mexican grandmother’s.
**Explanation:** The story is based on the author's grandmother's experiences as an immigrant from Mexico facing poverty and hardship in the U.S. The focus on themes like immigration, class differences, and cultural identity reflects the author's cultural background.
---
### 2. This question has two parts. Answer Part A, and then answer Part B.
**Part A:**
**A** Mama thinks all people, even the poor and dirty, deserve respect and compassion.
**Part B:**
**C** “I am sorry for my daughter’s bad manners.”
**Explanation:**
In Part A, Mama's belief in the inherent worth and dignity of all people, regardless of their socioeconomic status, is demonstrated through her reaction to the little peasant girl, indicating her desire for Esperanza to show respect and compassion. In Part B, the statement where Mama apologizes for Esperanza's behavior demonstrates her understanding of the importance of kindness toward others.
---
### 3. Explain how the author’s cultural background is reflected in Mama’s point of view about peasants in the story. Cite at least two details from the text to support your answer.
The author's cultural background is reflected in Mama's point of view about peasants through her emphasis on respect, compassion, and the shared humanity between people of different social classes.
One detail that supports this is when Mama tells Esperanza, “When you scorn these people, you scorn Miguel, Hortensia, and Alfonso.” This statement indicates that Mama values the relationships and community bonds they have with their former servants, suggesting that she understands the importance of treating everyone with dignity, regardless of their economic status.
Another detail is found in her apology to the mother of the little girl who wanted to hold Esperanza’s doll: “I am sorry for my daughter’s bad manners.” This shows that, despite their current hardships, Mama believes in demonstrating respect and kindness towards others, showcasing her belief that all people should be treated with compassion, reflecting her cultural values and experiences as an immigrant.
In summary, Mama's perspective highlights the importance of respect and empathy, which is deeply rooted in the cultural values the author reflects in the narrative.