Papa Who Wakes Up Tired in the Dark Summary

Esperanza's father visits her early in the morning to tell her that his father, her grandfather, has died. He will fly to Mexico, see his cousins, and take part in the funeral. "I know that he will have to go away, that will take a plane to Mexico, all the uncles and aunts will be there, and they will have a black-and-white photo taken in front of the tomb with flowers shaped like spears in a white vase because this is how they send the dead away in that country" (Cisneros 68-69). Esperanza's responsibility, as the oldest child, is to tell the rest of the kids what has happened and informs them of the reason they cannot play. Esperanza grows sad, thinking of her own father, and is terrified...