Essay Questions

Who is the role of the protagonist in Woman of Light by Kali Fajardo-Anstine?

The central character in Woman of Light by Kali Fajardo-Anstine is Luz. Luz has seen many challenges in her life, and the author uses her to develop the theme of recollection. Through Luz's visions, the reader sees the past and how Luz's ancestors struggled to make ends meet. For instance, colonizers oppressed Luz's great-grandparents, but they fought for their freedom without giving up. Therefore, Luz is a significant character in the novel because she connects readers to the past to comprehend her ancestors' tribulations.

Is racism emerging as one of the main themes in the novel?

Racism is one of the main themes in the novel Woman of Light. The white people in Denver dislike the indigenous Mexicans and other minority groups. For instance, indigenous people like Luz and her brother can only access less-paying jobs because better opportunities are for the whites. Luz's brother is a factory worker, a job that cannot help him meet all his needs. Luz's brother does other odd jobs, such as rearing snakes, to increase his income. When the white people realize Luz's brother is earning well from his side hustle, they mob him out of town. The attacks against minority groups by whites are rampant in Denver. Therefore, racism is one of the main challenges that minority groups face across the United States of America.

Did Luz's grandmother intentionally shoot dead her husband?

Luz's grandmother started learning how to use guns as a young girl. However, Luz's grandmother used guns only for protection against wild animals that regularly attacked their home. One day, a bear attacked the home, and when the grandmother tried to shoot at it, she accidentally killed her husband. Therefore, the killing was intentional, and the grandmother should not feel guilty about it.