Esperanza
Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan
I really enjoyed this book
because it teaches the humility and wisdom of class diversity through the
experiences of Esperanza. The student can learn the differing behaviors and values
of a wide range of classes in Esperanza’s fall from grace as a daughter of a
wealthy Mexican rancher. After her father is killed during a conflict with a
rancher relative, Esperanza and her mother, Mama, must work as immigrant
workers in California United States U.S.
Esperanza experienced true poverty after her other's "fall from grace." In a way this was a blessing because she was given an opportunity to see that class distinctions are unnecessary and unimportant. She learned that everyone must be treated equally and that one group is no better than another. She learned also that her real, real friend was the young boy who had worked for her family and who eventually would be her husband. Esperanza also learned what it is to work and to work hard. She learned to greatly respect those who worked with their hands and came to realize that the union organizers who came around to talk to the migrant workers did, indeed, have something to say.
ReplyDeleteThis is truly a woman's book.........Esperanza's mother was very brave and very determined. Would you agree? She risked much in order to have her freedom and to keep Esperanza free as well. These two woman can be models for the young woman in your class.
Would you use this book in your class? Why or why not?
This story can provoke a wonderful discussion about immigration. In addition, it can make students think about why people attempt to come across the border and sometimes take the chance to come across illegally. They wish to have a better life and greater freedom. This novel should also spur lots of discussion about the lives of those who are migrant workers and the condition under which they live, even today.
I would definitely use this book in my classroom because it instructs the student that the issue of class division is meaningless if you have your freedom, and more importantly, your family. More so, Esperanza’s mother sets a role model for young women because of her ability to refuse financial or marital compensation for her husband’s home. In the Chapter Las Papayas, Papayas, Tito Luis is a horribly exploitative man and Mama knows that it would be illogical to think that marrying him and keeping her home (through blackmail) would not be honorable and bring freedom from her husband’s financial ruin. Students really need to understand that there is more to life that financial success and material gain, which is represented in Esperanza’s refusal to take the hand of Miguel. This type of feminist freedom is part of Esperanza and Mama’s familial relationship that binds them to freedom versus economic safety. Under the tyranny of Tito Luis, the student can learn about the rationale of some women to escape these unfair legal and economic conditions in Mexico. Also, I believe that many students will want to speak out on this issue because of the often-ignorant opinions about migration that many white Americans express without knowing Mexican culture. This book is a great educational source for teaching the value of familial love and freedom versus that of economic materialism and comfort.
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