I found a recurring theme throughout the novel: the independence and dependence of women. Taylor was a confident, independent woman who did not depend on anyone else. She proved to be brave and put others before herself. But, characters like Esperanza and Lou Ann were very insecure and couldn't survive on their own. Esperanza attempted suicide after the loss of her child, and Lou Ann couldn't seem to go on without her husband Angel, even though he wasn't a good husband to her. I think that the purpose of characters like Esperanza and Lou Ann in the novel were to make Taylor seem stronger and more independent. Taylor had a child dumped off on her and managed to take it all in stride. Her courage was certainly admireable as well when she transported Estevan, whom she had deep feelings for, and his wife Esperanza to safety from Guatemala, while risking her own safety to protect the others.
In the end, I found the book to be uplifting in some ways. I think the story could be 100 pages shorter, and could definitely have some deeper and more interesting characters in addition to the ones already in it, though. Overall, I think the book conveyed its messages in clear and creative ways, and was not a complete waste, as I had expected after beginning to read.
2 more to go..
im a soldier a rider a ghetto survivor and all the above
droze+big boy
Dan-
ReplyDeleteI agree with everything you said. I didn't notice at first the role of Lou Ann and Esperanza being dependent on a man or a child and Taylor who is independent but now it makes sense and I see that connection now. I think Taylor helped Lou Ann move on from depending on a man (i think this was the book but not sure- made me think of house on mango street when esperanza's mom said to never be dependent on a man). It's ironic how Taylor tried to avoid pregnancy and motherhood (maybe adulthood-I'm still not 100% sure) all throughout her life but yet she gets stuck with a kid. It shows that she is extremely mature and can handle more than she thinks she can because she was thrown a child and took such good care of it and didn't really complain.
Yes i am that and all of the above as well droze. i also enjoyed this bkk as i think we all did. and as the book went on, i think we both were getting a lil too pumped up. i wish u culda been there when i read the ending so we culda shared a chest bump or something. IGHT LOVE YOUU BBOOYY PPEEAACCEE... BIGBOY
ReplyDeleteOn a serious note, I agree with 100%. In the beginning of the book, Taylor made a promise to herself to avoid pregnancy but then ends up getting stuck with a kid, the product of pregnancy. She deals with it very well in my opinion and it was big stepping stone in completing her maturation.
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