Papa is killed by bandits who don't understand that he has given land to many of his workers. On pg. 22 it says, "When the wagon stopped, Esperanza could see a body in back, completely covered with a blanket."

The land is left to Luis rather than Mama. On pg. 30 it says, "It is not customary to leave land to women and since Luis was the banker and the loan, Sixto left the land to him."

The uncle arranged a fire to burn their house down. On pg. 43 it says, "They all knew that the uncles had arranged the fire."

On pg. 79 Miguel explains to Esperanza why the woman is begging, "Have you never noticed?' he said, sounding surprised. 'Those with Spanish blood, who have the fairest complexions in the land, are the wealthiest."

Esperanza and her mother can't have their own cabin because there is no housing for single women. On pg. 102 Mama says, "Esperanza, they will only give one cabin for each man and his family. There is no housing for single women..."

People are not allowed to cross the border into the United States. On pg. 83 it says, "Across the tracks, several groups of people were being prodded onto another train headed back to Mexico. 'My heart aches for those people. They came all this way just to be sent back."

What is the meaning of the metaphor "Esperanza tucked the blanket around her [Mama], hoping that the color from the blanket would slowly seep into Mama's cheeks?

What is the meaning of the metaphor "The classroom was a zoo!"

The conditions in the striker's camp are poor. On pg. 193 it says, "Some people lived in tents but others only had burlap bags stretched between poles."