Question

purpose for reading: in this excerpt from esperanza rising, youll follow esperanza as she anxiously waits for her fathers return. as you read, pay attention to how the author crafts the mood and the setting and how these elements interplay with esperanzas emotions and the underlying tension of the situation. ask yourself: \how does the figurative language contribute to the mood of the passage?\ excerpt from esperanza rising, by pam muñoz ryan (1) papa had promised to meet her in the garden and he never disappointed her. she bent over to pick a red bloom, fully opened, and pricked her finger on a vicious thorn. big pearls of blood pulsed from the tip of her thumb and she automatically thought, \bad luck.\ she quickly wrapped her hand in the corner of her apron and dismissed the premonition. then she cautiously clipped the blown rose that had wounded her. looking toward the horizon, she saw the last of the sun disappear behind the sierra madre. darkness would settle quickly and a feeling of uneasiness and worry nagged at her. (2) where was papa? he had left early that morning with the vaqueros to work the cattle. and he was always home before. what does mamas response to the main characters injury reveal about her character? she is overly protective and anxious. she is fully against superstitions. she is dismissive and unconcerned. she is superstitious yet rational.

Explanation:

Answer:

(1) The figurative language such as the "big pearls of blood pulsed" and the premonition contribute to a tense and anxious mood. The use of negative - connotation words like "bad luck" and the physical reactions of the character (pricking finger, dismissing premonition) heighten the sense of unease as she waits for her father's return.
(2) A. She is superstitious yet rational.