Effective storytellers expect you to notice clues about a story’s meaning as the story proceeds. However, they won’t tell you everything. They know that readers prefer to figure out some things on their own.
Some details in a story are supposed to remind you of earlier elements of the story, such as its title, its themes, and any symbols that might have seemed unimportant at first glance. If you notice any ideas, images, or other elements that appear again and again, chances are good that these details are big clues about the story’s themes.
Here’s one example of a repeated idea in Esperanza Rising: The novel’s title and the cover art both imply that Esperanza is ascending above something. In the chapter you just read, you learn about an incident in which Esperanza believes she is flying.
Try answering the questions below about another detail that shows up more than once in the novel. When you think you know the answer to each question, click the question to see a sample response.
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Trying to hear the heartbeat of her new homeland reminds her of how her father taught her to listen to the land. It shows Esperanza’s desire to connect her new homeland to her father and her old life. |
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It shows that Esperanza does not yet have a connection to her new homeland, and it hints at the idea that she will rise above her circumstances. |
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It suggests that although immigration is difficult and painful, starting over is not only possible but also better for many people. |
