Family Is Worth More Than Money
"Carmen smiled, ‘I am poor, but I am rich. I have my children, I have a garden with roses, and I have my faith and the memories of those who have gone before me. What more is there? '" (Ryan 76). Even when it looks like Esperanza has nothing, she has much because of love from her family and her friends.
Before Esperanza 's father died and her life seemed to fall apart, Esperanza had not realized how fortunate it was to have a surrounding where people loved and cared about her. "Tomorrow was her birthday and she knew that she would be serenaded at sunrise" (9). Esperanza KNEW what she received, but she did not know what she has forever, her family. When having to leave her home, Esperanza looked back and most importantly, her heart ached to leave the ones close to her, rather than the materialistic things (56). Esperanza yearned for her friends, her school, Abuelita, and the greatest of all, her Papa. Even though Esperanaza had not realized it, her family was more important than luxury.
On the train ride going to California, Esperanza had to learn from her mother about proper manners. She hasn 't quite figured out the fact that she is not "royalty" or "luxurious" any longer. Esperanza 's mother is beginning to teach Esperanza to be generous to the needy even when she does not have anything. "She held the yarn doll up, offering it to the little girl" (71). In this situation involving the quote above, the reader can infer the effort of Esperanza 's mother to show kindness instead of selfishness.
Along the lines of kindness, Alfonso, Hortensia, and Miguel were so close, they were thoughtful and compassionate like a family. For example, Papa’s roses were very important to Esperanza, so when Alfonso and Miguel brought his roses to California, it displayed kindness, which Esperanza is continually learning. “’Yes, these are your papa’s roses,’ said Miguel” (123). As Esperanza is exposed to more and more acts of kindness and how wealthy she is within her family life.
Before Esperanza 's father died and her life seemed to fall apart, Esperanza had not realized how fortunate it was to have a surrounding where people loved and cared about her. "Tomorrow was her birthday and she knew that she would be serenaded at sunrise" (9). Esperanza KNEW what she received, but she did not know what she has forever, her family. When having to leave her home, Esperanza looked back and most importantly, her heart ached to leave the ones close to her, rather than the materialistic things (56). Esperanza yearned for her friends, her school, Abuelita, and the greatest of all, her Papa. Even though Esperanaza had not realized it, her family was more important than luxury.
On the train ride going to California, Esperanza had to learn from her mother about proper manners. She hasn 't quite figured out the fact that she is not "royalty" or "luxurious" any longer. Esperanza 's mother is beginning to teach Esperanza to be generous to the needy even when she does not have anything. "She held the yarn doll up, offering it to the little girl" (71). In this situation involving the quote above, the reader can infer the effort of Esperanza 's mother to show kindness instead of selfishness.
Along the lines of kindness, Alfonso, Hortensia, and Miguel were so close, they were thoughtful and compassionate like a family. For example, Papa’s roses were very important to Esperanza, so when Alfonso and Miguel brought his roses to California, it displayed kindness, which Esperanza is continually learning. “’Yes, these are your papa’s roses,’ said Miguel” (123). As Esperanza is exposed to more and more acts of kindness and how wealthy she is within her family life.
Cited: Ryan, Pam Muñoz. Esperanza Rising. New York: Scholastic, 2000. Print.