Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan

Ryan’s book is based on the true life experiences of her grandmother, and seamlessly works the cultural and historical realities of 1930s life into the plot. The novel explores issues of belonging, identity, and respect. It also provides context for discussions about immigration, prejudice, and fair trade. Ryan brings it all to life with vivid imagery and figurative language.

Literary Conflict

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Characters

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Character Evolution

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Plot Diagram

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Figurative Language

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Symbol Square

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Essential Questions for Esperanza Rising

1. How do experiences change who we are?
2. How does where we live affect our identities?
3. What does it mean to have a home?
4. How does the historical time period of the novel affect the characters?
5. What does it mean to have fair working conditions?

Historical Background

A number of real historical events form the backdrop of Esperanza’s experiences. Her father’s death stems from the class warfare stirred up by the Mexican Revolution. The wage struggles she and her family encounter in Los Angeles result from the economic hardships of the Great Depression. With so many Okies leaving the Dust Bowl in the Midwest and migrating to the farms of California, the labor market became over-saturated, causing wages to plummet. Labor strikes like those Marta tries to incite were a natural consequence of low wages. Since Esperanza Rising’s third person point of view is attached to Esperanza, the reader is presented only with Esperanza’s limited understanding of these complex political and economic issues. Many of the historical references in the novel are discussed in the Author’s Note at the end of the book, but students may benefit from additional research on the topics below.

• Mexican Revolution (1910-1920)
• Labor strikes
• The Great Depression, including the experience of children during this time
• The Deportation Act and Mexican Repatriation (1929-1935)
• Produce farming in southern California
• The Okies
• Dust Bowl

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