Abuelita's Blanket
Like the continuous thread of yarn that forms its colorful zigzags, Abuelita's blanket connects all the different parts of Esperanza's story. It carries us from the beginning of the novel, where Ab...
The Phoenix
After Esperanza's family home burns down, Abuelita asks her, "Esperanza, do you remember the story of the phoenix, the lovely young bird that is reborn from its own ashes?" (4.68) Abuelita is talki...
The River
For a thirteen-year-old girl, Esperanza seems to think a lot in metaphors. One of her favorites? A river. To her, this river represents the social divide that separates her from Miguel:"But now tha...