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 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 superstitious yet rational.
she is dismissive and unconcerned.
she is fully against superstitions.

Explanation:

Mama's response to the main character's injury is analyzed for insights into her traits. When the main - character is pricked and says "bad luck", Mama dismisses the premonition and clips the rose. This shows she doesn't give much weight to superstitions and is unconcerned about the supposed bad luck associated with the injury.

Answer:

She is dismissive and unconcerned.