Essay Questions

What is the main motive why Moreno does not like Ramona?

The primary reason why Moreno dislikes Ramona is that she is part of the Native Americans. In the past, Moreno has had bad experiences with the Native Americans because they repossessed her land after a heated dispute. However, she still has some part of the Rancho land, which belongs to her, but she still feels bad that the natives can take part of her land away because of the dispute. She still hires some Native Americans to work in her Ranch but she is cynical of them. Due to her cynicism, she believes all Native Americans are evil and they can take any opportunity to frustrate her. Therefore, Ramona being a Native American, she falls victim of Moreno’s abhorrence.

Do you agree that Ramona’s love story depicts the theme of feminism?

The theme of feminism is evident through Ramona’s love story. She is a burly character because she understands that Moreno dislikes her because of her mixed race. She is not loved by Moreno as much as she loves her daughter. However, Ramona remains calm and hopes that things will be better for her. She goes against Moreno and decides to elope with Alessandro. They fall in love and gives birth to a daughter she loves very much. She again takes a bold decision to leave Alessandro to marry Felipe Moreno who is her half brother. Despite loving Alessandro, she leaves him to live with Felipe. Felipe loves Ramona despite knowing that Alessandro also loves her. Nevertheless, Ramona lives a happy life thereafter.

How does Helen Hunt Jackson bring forth the irony of the foster children?

Senora Moreno dislikes her foster child because she has the blood of the Native Americans who she hates to death for taking her land after a dispute. Moreno gives her blood daughter luxuries while overlooking Ramona. As the novel progresses, the reader can see that Ramona loves her child from the previous relationship with Alessandro despite now married to Felipe Moreno. Ironically, Moreno sees nothing good at Ramona but her son falls in love and marries her. She lives happily with Felipe while loving her child from the previous relationship.