How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
The tall and feathery asparagus plants seemed to be as unrelenting as Isabel's desire to be queen. The workers picked the spears from the fields and a few days later, the same fields had to be picked again because new shoots were already showing their heads. And Isabel talked of nothing else, except the possibility of wearing the winner's crown of flowers on her head. (13.15)
Yep, Isabel's stubborn hope is a lot like the persistent growth of the asparagus plants, with their feathery tops. The trouble is, eventually the asparagus plants will stop growing and so will Isabel's belief that she might be crowned queen.
Quote #8
"See these perfect rows, Miguel? They are like what my life would have been. These rows know where they are going. Straight ahead. Now my life is like the zigzag in the blanket on Mama's bed." (13.56)
Esperanza's life isn't like the straight rows of the vineyard anymore. That was the old Esperanza. And while that's more than a little difficult and challenging, we can't help but think that maybe, just maybe, Esperanza will find it really rewarding to find her own way in life. She may not know where she's going, but isn't that half the fun?
Quote #9
She soared with the anticipation of dreams she never knew she could have, of learning English, of supporting her family, of someday buying a tiny house. (14.102)
Even though these goals are much more modest than Esperanza's initial plans to marry a rich neighbor and be the mistress of a big old house, they seem more satisfying somehow, don't they? Maybe that's because Esperanza is going to have to work for these accomplishments, instead of having them handed to her on a silver platter.