The Bean Trees

Describe Esperanza.

Chapter 7 : How They Eat in Heaven

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Esperanza

She is the wife of Estevan, and stays with Mattie at Jesus Is Lord Used Tires as a political refugee from Guatemala. Esperanza suffers from a prolonged depression caused by the loss of her daughter, Ismene, who was taken from her when she refused to give the names of teachers' union members to the police, for by naming names these union members would certainly be put to death. Esperanza attempts suicide while in Tucson, but she begins to improve once she becomes closer to Turtle. By falsely relinquishing custody of Turtle in Oklahoma, Esperanza feels a sense of catharsis concerning Ismene, and thus finally makes a breakthrough toward recovery.

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