Before they reached me, Little Man exclaimed, "Owwww, I'm gonna tell Mama! Carrying that ole dumb Lillian Jean's books!" "Cassie, whatja do that for?" questioned Christopher-John, his round face pained. "Ah, shoot," laughed T.J. "Ole Cassie jus' learned she better do what's good for her if she don't want no more of Mr. Simm's back hand."

Question

—Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry,
Mildred D. Taylor

Esperanza looked down at Silvia's dirty hands. Silvia grinned up at her and Esperanza's first thought was to pull her hand away and wash it as soon as possible. Then she remembered Mama's kindness to the peasant girl on the train – and her disappointment in Esperanza. She didn't want Silvia to start crying if she were to pull away. She looked around at the dusty camp and thought that it must be hard to stay clean in such a place.

—Esperanza Rising,
Pam Muñoz Ryan

How do the historical and cultural settings of these two stories affect the characters?

Both T. J. and Esperanza are unkind to others because they do not understand other characters’ cultural backgrounds.
Both Esperanza and Cassie are facing challenges because of their environment.
Both Lillian Jean and Silvia are facing challenges because of their environment.

Answer 1

Both Esperanza and Cassie are facing challenges because of their environment.

In "Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry," Cassie is navigating the oppressive racial dynamics of the Jim Crow South, where the expectations placed upon her as a Black girl lead to conflicts with characters like Lillian Jean. Cassie's actions reflect her struggle against the injustice and the desire to assert her dignity in an environment that seeks to diminish it. The historical setting of segregation and racism influences her behavior and relationships, pushing her to confront her feelings and reactions to systemic oppression.

In "Esperanza Rising," Esperanza faces the harsh realities of life as a Mexican immigrant during the Great Depression. The dusty camp setting and the socio-economic struggles it represents highlight the challenges she and Silvia must navigate. Esperanza's internal conflict about accepting Silvia's dirty hand illustrates her growth and emerging empathy despite their differing backgrounds and circumstances. The cultural setting forces Esperanza to confront her prejudices and learn kindness in the face of adversity.

In both stories, the historical and cultural environments contribute significantly to the characters' experiences and development, illustrating how societal pressures can shape individual actions and relationships.