ESPERANZA
R I S I N G
Las Uvas — Chapter 1
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Please answer each question in complete sentences. For each question, cite the page on which you found the answer.
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1. What does las uvas mean? Explain the significance of Las Uvas within this chapter.
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2. Name one symbol that was mentioned in this chapter and explain its deeper meaning.
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3. Who is Miguel? What is his relationship with Esperanza like? Why?
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4. An event of festivities and celebration is known as:
A) ma nieta
B) piñata
C) Saturday
D) fiesta
5. A strong feeling that something is about to happen; especially something unpleasant:
A) reaping B) premonition
C) sympathetic
D) forlorn
6. Who is Abuelita?
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7. Who are Tio Luis & Tio Marco?
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8. What is the name of the Ortega ranch?
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ESPERANZA
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Las
Uvas
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R I S I N G
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KEY
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Possible Answers:
1. What does las uvas mean? Explain the significance of Las Uvas within this chapter.
Las Uvas means Grapes. The significance of las uvas in this chapter begins with Esperanza being allowed to cut the first bunch of grapes to begin the
harvest. The harvest time of grapes is Esperanza’s favorite time of year because it means that it is also her birthday. Each year, Mama and Papa hold a big
party to celebrate the harvest and her birthday.
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Additionally, Papa teaches her an important lesson with the grapes by telling her to “wait a little while and the fruit will fall into your hand” (p.2). This
lesson of patience will prove to be an important one for Esperanza throughout her story.
Tell students to watch out for other times this lesson is taught to Esperanza (it proves to be a great theme throughout the story and a wonderful lesson for
Esperanza—and our readers!).
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** Instead of numbering the chapters in Esperanza Rising, Pam Muñoz Ryan names them
after the harvests. Muñoz Ryan says she decided to do this after the book was finished because she thought
Esperanza’s life took on the rhythm of the harvests throughout the story. In some ways, the chapter titles represent
metaphors which correspond to the development of the story.
2. Name one symbol that was mentioned in this chapter and explain its deeper meaning.
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ROSE—
She bent over and picked a red bloom, fully opened, and pricked her finger on a vicious thorn [...] she automatically thought, “bad luck.”
-To Esperanza: Abuelita nodded and said thoughtfully, “No hay rosa sin espinas. There is no rose without thorns.”
ZIG ZAG CROCHET—
-To Esperanza: I am starting a new blanket and will teach you the zigzag. [...]
To Abuelita: Must we always crochet to take our minds off worry?
-Ten stitches up to the top of the mountain. Add one stitch. Nine stitches down to the bottom of the valley. Skip one.
-Abuelita smiled, reached over, and pulled the yarn, unraveling all of Esperanza’s rows. “Do not be afraid to start over,” She said
TRUNK AT FOOT OF ESPERANZA’S BED—
-The linens always went into the trunk at the foot of her bed for algun dia, for someday.
3. Who is Miguel? What is his relationship with Esperanza like? Why?
Miguel is Alfonso and Horensia’s son. He and Esperanza played together when they were young. Papa would show him parts of the land that even Mama
and Esp. had never seen. He knew many realms of the land. 16 years old in chapter 1. Described as having patience and quiet strength and could fix
anything. Esperanza used to express that she wanted to marry him, rather than be paired up with a rich boy she didn’t know. However, now that she is
older, she realizes that she cannot marry the housekeeper’s son. She used the expression that a deep river ran between the two and could never be
crossed. In a moment of self importance, Esperanza told Miguel this; ever since, Miguel would only speak to her out of politeness, but never more.
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4. An event of festivities and celebration is known as:
A) ma nieta
B) piñata
C) Saturday
D) fiesta
5. A strong feeling that something is about to happen; especially something unpleasant:
A) reaping B) premonition
C) sympathetic
D) forlorn
6. Who is Abuelita?
!7. Who are Tio Luis & Tio Marco?
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Abuelita is Esperanza’s grandmother who lives with them. Mama’s mother. Distinguished, yet capricious.
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Tio Luis- Papa’s older step brother. Preseident of the bank...Important man, though Esperanza did not like him
Tio Marco- Papa’s other older step brother. Mayor of the town....also an important man, not liked by Esperanza
8. What is the name of the Ortega ranch?
El Racho de las Rosas
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