ESPERANZA RISING: STUDY GUIDE / BOOK SUMMARY

LITERARY ELEMENTS

SETTING

Aguascalientes, Mexico and Arvin, California, during the Great Depression of the 1930s.

CHARACTER LIST

Major Characters

Esperanza Ortega
Thirteen-year-old Esperanza is the main character and protagonist of this story. She has lived her entire life on her parent’s beautiful ranch in Mexico. When her father is killed, Esperanza, her mother, and their servants flee to California. Esperanza must learn how to live as a poor farm worker.

Miguel
Miguel is the son of Alfonso and Hortensia, who work for Esperanza’s family. Esperanza and Miguel grow up together at the ranch. Miguel believes that living in the United States, even as a poor farmer, is better than living in Mexico because he has the opportunity to advance.

Minor Characters

Ramona Ortega
Ramona is Esperanza’s mother. She is devastated by the loss of her husband and her home. However, she refuses to marry her cruel brother-in-law, Tío Marco, because she wants to remain with Esperanza--no matter what the circumstances. In California, Ramona becomes ill with Valley Fever. She spends five months in the hospital before she recovers.

Sixto Ortega
Sixto is Esperanza’s father. He is a good man who is very generous to those who work for him. When Sixto is killed Esperanza’s entire life changes.

Abuelita
Abuelita is Esperanza’s grandmother and Ramona’s mother. She lives with the family on the ranch in Mexico. When Tío Marco burns down the house, Abuelita hurts her ankle and cannot make the trip to California. Abuelita lives with her sisters in a convent until Miguel brings her to California with the money Esperanza has saved.

Marisol Rodriguez
Marisol is Esperanza’s best friend in Mexico. Esperanza cannot say goodbye to her when she leaves because her departure must be kept a secret.

Alfonso
Alfonso is Miguel’s father. He worked on Papa’s ranch.

Hortensia
Hortensia is Miguel’s mother. She worked in the house on the ranch. Among her duties was taking care of Esperanza. Esperanza must adjust to a new relationship with Hortensia once they move to California.

Tío Luis and Tío Marco
Tío Luis and Tío Marco are the antagonists of the story. They are Papa’s brothers who destroy Esperanza’s life. The brothers are responsible for burning down Esperanza’s house and keeping Abuelita’s money from her. Tío Marco wants to marry Mama and send Esperanza away to boarding school.

Juan and Josafina
Juan and Josafina are relatives of Hortensia and Alfonso in California. They help Alfonso, Hortensia and Mama get work after the ranch burns down.

Isabel
Isabel the eight-year-old daughter of Juan and Josafina. At first she annoys Esperanza. However, Esperanza learns to love her. Isabel helps Esperanza adjust to her new life by teaching her how to perform many duties on the farm.

Pepe and Lupe
Pepe and Lupe are Isabel’s twin baby brother and sister. One of Esperanza’s duties on the farm is to care for them, which is very challenging at first.

Marta
Marta is a girl who is not very nice to Esperanza when they first meet. Marta pushes everyone to strike because she believes they are being treated unfairly. When there is a sweep of the camps, Esperanza helps Marta escape.

Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan Free Book Summary

Visit our partner PinkMonkey.com for more online Study Guides
Privacy Policy
All Content Copyright©TheBestNotes. All Rights Reserved.
No further distribution without written consent.
47 Users Online | This page has been viewed 387 times
This page was last updated on 5/11/2008 8:31:49 PM