STUDY GUIDE / BOOK SUMMARY: ESPERANZA RISING

THEMES - THEME ANALYSIS

He who falls today may rise tomorrow

An epigraph, or quotation at the beginning of a literary work, typically conveys the work’s major theme. At the beginning of Esperanza Rising, the author presents two Mexican proverbs. Each proverb is an important theme of the book, but the first proverb is the story’s major theme.

This story shows how, despite set backs, people can overcome anything. This theme is expressed in Esperanza’s “rising,” or overcoming her tragic circumstances. In the beginning of the story, Esperanza is.........

POINT OF VIEW

Third person. This novel is told by a narrator, who only has access to Esperanza’s thoughts.

IMPORTANT QUOTATIONS - QUOTES AND ANALYSIS

1. “Wait a little while and the fruit will fall into your hand.” - Papa, p. 2.

This quotation is significant because it becomes an important theme in the novel. Papa says this to Esperanza when she is a child and he is teaching her to listen to the earth. This statement is repeated throughout the story by various characters. By the story’s conclusion Esperanza learns the importance of patience and hard work. She learns the value of the simple things.

2. “In Mexico we stand on different sides of the river.” - Miguel, p. 37.

Miguel says this to Esperanza after she pulls away from his touch as he tries to console her following Papa’s death. This statement is significant because it shows the class barriers which are firmly in place in Mexico. Even though Esperanza loves Miguel and her parents are kind to his family, as a child her parents tell her............

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Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan: Literary Analysis

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