Question

During the truck ride, Isabel tells Esperanza how wonderful it is that their new home has electricity and a kitchen. Isabel is also excited about going to school soon. Esperanza thinks to herself that “Isabel is so happy...about such little things.” (p. 90) Explain why Isabel is so excited about these things. Then explain why Esperanza considers electricity, a home with a kitchen, and a school to be “little things.”

Answer 1

Answer:

Isabel is excited about these things, becuase she hasn't known much in her life. To her, having electricity and a kitchen is a very big thing, because she is poor, and others live in conditions worse than hers. School is something Isabel is excited about because education for a Mexican immigrant must have been hard to get. Especially because Isabel was poor, and there was a lot of racism going on as well. Esperanza considers electricity, a home with a kitchen, and a school to be “little things" because she had what Isabel had and much more back at El Rancho de la Rosas. She isn't used to the limitations of poverty and therefore doesn't know how to value the smaller things

Explanation:

Answer 2

Answer: In the book, Esperanza Rising, Esperanza was always very wealthy and her family owned a lot of land and servants. Electricity is a basic every day item she has access to. Isabel, on the other hand, worked as a servant in the fields. Isabel is not used to these things, and given the situation and the state Esperanza's family is in... Well, he's only trying to cheer her up.