Literature Circle Blog#2

What qualities, conditions, or circumstances create determination?
Determination is the firm or fixed intention to achieve a desired end. In the book “Rain of Gold” determination is shown throughout the book. The story takes place in Mexico during the revolution. Lupe and her family are caught in a war in which survival has become a struggle. Ever since the Americans left, everyone in their town has also left to go up north and Lupe’s family is one of the few families left. Lupe’s family finally decided that going up north to the United States was their best option if they wanted to live. Family is one of the major reasons why they have made this choice. If they stay, the bandits will end up killing them just like the many men, women and children they have killed already. Sophia, the older sister, left to go up north but her ship overturned and she is now considered dead although her mother has a feeling that she is still alive. “And yes, one day, I swear it before God, we’ll find Sophia and the tree of our family will be mended, too!” (205). The main reason they want to go up north is to some day be reunited with their older sister. They want a better life for themselves but at the same time they still want to keep the whole family united. In this story, survival is definitely one of the reasons for determination. Low supply count and death would determine anyone to seek out a better life.

What would people be willing to sacrifice in times of hardship?
At one point or another we have all had to sacrifice something. In the book “Rain of Gold” Lupe and her family have to sacrifice a lot to survive. Friendships, family, pets and home are four of the things that they have to sacrifice. Lupe had to say bye to her best friend Manuelita. “Lupe and Manuelita cried together, feeling so scared of being separated…Lupe watched her best friend disappear down the overgrown trail into the vastness of the jungle” (207). Letting Sophia go ahead of them was also a sacrifice because by making that decision they could possibly never see her again. Lupe, like Juan from part two, had to let her pet deer go just too later on see people eating the deer. By leaving they had to leave their home and everything they knew behind. They were sacrificing everything they ever knew and owned for a better life. At the same time life could either get better or worse so it had to be a tough decision. All immigrants that come to the United States go through the same experiences. My parents sacrificed a lot to come here and give my brothers and me a better life. Both my parents left their parents behind including the only life they knew. All immigrants come here with nothing; they start at the bottom and hope to one day work their way up. In the story “Leave your name at the Border” people have to “Americanize” their names to be able to fit into society. Changing their name would almost be the same thing as sacrificing your identity, which you are. It would be leaving everything you are to become someone new. It’s a sacrifice that a lot of immigrants make to have more opportunities and to overall have a better life.