PLEASE POST A RESPONSE TO A CLASSMATE'S POST BY THURS 21 MAR (DISCUSSION)
-we learn that saving Esperanza’s family from the fire was not the first time he saves them… -Esperanza’s two train experiences contrast dramatically
-How has Papa’s death also altered Miguel’s dreams? - the social class system is big part of this chapter from Esperanza’s comments and behavior to Miguel’s understanding of how to get a job on the RR. Does this contrast to the US? What did he teach Esperanza about social classes in Mexico?
-discuss “full bellies and Spanish blood go hand in hand”
We learn that Miguel has saved the family before when there was a group of robbers that entered their house in Mexico. He helps hide the family under a bed and then when the robber hears Esperanza move, he releases a mouse that he had so the group of robbers would think it was the mouse that made the noise.
ReplyDeleteAlso the death of papa effects Miguel because he promised him a job working for the rail road, and the only way to get in was to have good recomendations or connections.
With the "Full bellies and Spanish Blood go hand in hand" saying, it means that the Spanish are always associated with being wealthy in Mexico
what does the "Spanish" part refer to though...?
DeleteI agree with everything that Frank said but the death of Papa doesn't only affect Miguel because of the connections but it also affects him in an emotional way. Papa always treated Miguel like a son, so for Miguel losing him would be like losing a father. Not only that but Miguel is now really having to step up. During this time period, and even now, men stereotypical shouldn't show their emotions, they should be strong, stoic. We haven't seen any emotional opening with Miguel really but we must assume that he is hurting, angry, and otherwise conflicted about what has happened and is happening.
ReplyDeleteThe social classes are really portrayed throughout this chapter as well. Not just how they appear in Mexico but through how Esperanza acts with the people on the train. She sees them as less than she, dirty, poor. Yet I don't think she understands that she is more similar to them than not at this point. Like her mother says, they are now peasants as well.
I agree with you that Miguel had also been effected emotionally by papa's death but I believe that he is showing it in a different way. I feel like he is showing his emotions through his actions toward Esperanza, like when he built the shrine and when he carried the rose buds all the way from Aguacalientes. He is most likely refraining from sharing his emotions in the traditional sense because he is trying to stay strong in front of Esperanza and trying not to bring up old feelings.
DeleteI differ from your belief that he is otherwise angry or conflicted, he is more than likely sad and morose over the happenings because as you had said before it was as if he lost a father.
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DeleteWhen we learned that Miguel had saved them from burglars previous to the fire, it really showed how much he cares about the family. Even though he is a worker, he really feels like part of the family, which is Esperanza's father's doing.
ReplyDeleteEsperanza had an experience on the train when she was younger, but that was in the 1st class section where you are waited on hand and foot, it is clean, and you can get food. Her new experience is much different, as she has to be in the poor part of the train where there are wooden benches, peasant people, and it is very dirty. At first, Esperanza is very stubborn and stuck up about being on this part of the train. She told her mother how dirty is was and that the people didn't look nice. This reaction was only because of her upbringing in a wealthy family. She truly didn't know any better, even though she could have kept quiet about it.
Miguel had a deep connection with Esperanza's father because he treated Miguel like a son, but also like a worker for respect. So when he died, Miguel didn't just loose an employer, but also a father.
Miguel told Esperanza that there isn't any working opportunity in Mexico anymore, now that her father is gone. Also how he wants to work on the railroad in the US. He believes that there is so much opportunity in the US and he thinks that everyone can become a millionaire if they work hard enough. This is close to true. Back in the early 1900's, it was very common for foreigners to come to the U.S. to find work because there was plenty. Most of the time though, it ended up for the people as poverty because they were stuck with jobs which had little income and not good housing.
He taught Esperanza that the lower classes strive to be better and work as hard as they can. She doesn't understand this at first but I'm sure she will in time as the novel continues.
"Full bellies and spanish blood go hand in hand" means that most Spanish people in Mexico are wealthy because the native peoples work for them. (As they have a history with Spanish conquests.)
I that you are right that she will come to understand the differences in the social classes and accept her new status along the way but she has been through so much I also understand that it may take some time.
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