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How do Esperanza and her friends view their quinceañeras?

You know that feeling of excitement when you’re really looking forward to something? Anticipating an event is half the fun, but when the day finally arrives, it’s even better.

Teenage girl set against a white background.

At the beginning of Esperanza Rising, Esperanza is about to celebrate her thirteenth birthday, but she and her friends are also looking forward to their quinceañeras. On the previous page, you learned what traditionally happens at this celebration as well as some of the symbolism behind each custom. However, your first introduction to quinceañeras may have been a scene in Esperanza Rising.

Reread pages 7 and 8 of Esperanza Rising to refresh your memory about this scene. Then, think about what you learned from the video and how it compares to the novel’s description of quinceañeras.

Question

How does the novel’s description of quinceañeras compare to what you learned in the video? How is it different?

Esperanza and her friends seem just as excited about their quinceañeras as Yolanda, the character in the video. Like Yolanda, Esperanza understands that the event will symbolize her transition to adulthood. Esperanza and her friends also discuss how the quinceañera is supposed to lead, eventually, to marriage. That connection isn’t emphasized as much today, at least in the United States. However, fifteen is often the age when a girl is allowed to start dating—in both Mexico and the United States.