Esperanza Rising

At the end of the work week, everyone is tired but happy to be together. Alfonso and Miguel proudly reveal two rose bushes that they salvaged from Esperanza’s home after the fire. Each one was planted by Sixto—one for Miguel and one for Esperanza. The family hopes the flowers will flourish in their new location.

On Saturday, the group prepares for the camp’s weekly jamaica, or fiesta. Esperanza goes outside to shell almonds with Isabel so Josefina can use the nuts to make flan that she will sell at the feast. In the evening, everyone is enjoying the party, and Isabel is about to adopt a kitten from a new litter when Marta shows up with a group of union agitators to rally the Mexicans. She picks up one of the kittens and holds it before the crowd. “This is what we are! […] Small, meek animals. And that is how they treat us because we don’t speak up. If we don’t ask for what is rightfully ours, we will never get it! Is this how we want to live?” (132).

Most of the Mexican migrants are only concerned with feeding their families and don’t want any trouble with management.