Family Relationships

Esperanza's relationship to her father, mother, and grandmother forms the driving spirit of the plot. In her early childhood, her strongest relationship is with her father. He represents all she has become to that point, including wealth, class, refinement, success and education. The one difference is in his experience with life in general which has taught him to treat all people with respect. Esperanza has not had the occasion to mix with people who are not like herself, and does not understand that there is a need to associate with them other than for them to serve her in some way.

As the story progresses, Esperanza begins to learn from her relationship with her mother the need to accept people as they are. She also experiences the tolerance her mother has for those less fortunate and begins to take on some of those qualities herself.

Abuelita's influence...