Esperanza Rising Characters

Kind owner of el Rancho de las Rosas. He is deeply connected to the land and teaches Esperanza to trust the cycles of nature.

• Alfonso

• Tío Marco

• Sixto

• Miguel

Patient, strong, and kind, he is Esperanza's childhood companion. He refers to Esperanza as "mi reina, my queen".

• Marco

• Sixto

• Miguel

• Luis

Esperanza's best friend who lived on a neighboring property. Her father helps Esperanza and her mother escape.

• Bertina

• Marisol

• Josephina

• Chita

Important woman who teaches Esperanza the importance of perseverance. She is injured during a fire.

• Marisol

• Isabel

• Chita

• Abuelita

Papa's close friend and boss of the field-workers at el Rancho de las Rosas. He is also married to Hortensia and makes arrangements for the move to California.

• Alfonso

• Miguel

• Mr. Rodríguez

• Juan

Daughter of a wealthy landowner growing up in Aguascalientes, Mexico. When her father dies, her life turns upside down.

• Marisol

• Hortensia

• Ramona

• Esperanza

President of the bank in Aguascalientes, he proposes to Esperanza's mother in order to make a move into politics.

• Alfonso

• Tío Marco

• Mr. Rodríguez

• Tío Luis

Zapotec Indian from Oaxaca, she is the housekeeper at el Rancho de las Rosas and mother to Miguel.

• Isabel

• Josephina

• Hortensia

• Ramona

Esperanza's mother who teaches Esperanza how to be strong after her father's death.

• Hortensia

• Ramona

• Bonita

• Esmeralda

Which of the following words does NOT describe Esperanza in the beginning of the story?

• generous
• wealthy
• privileged
• snobby