Enrique's Journey
BY: SONIA NAZARIO
SUMMARY: The novel follows the story of Enrique, a boy living in Honduras, whose mother left him at the age of five to find a job in the United States. This allowed her to send money back to Enrique so he could attend school past the third grade. His mother initially said that she would be back quickly, however, her struggles in America prevent her from returning. Eventually at age 11, Enrique decides to go and find her. He begins in Tegucigalpa, and begins his dangerous and illegal trek across Mexico--by clinging to the tops and sides of freight trains. On the way he endures very dangerous situations, which include encountering gangsters, corrupt cops, and jumping on and off moving boxcars--part of the "Train of Death". This story chronicles an epic journey, that thousand of immigrant children make each year in effort to find their parents.
ANALYSIS: This novel captures the hardship that many immigrants endure in order to reach America, where they seek opportunity to thrive. The novel shows how some immigrants would risk everything, including their own lives, to make it to America. This is because many are optimistic that America can offer them a better life. Many others face similar struggles and seek the same goal, a form of upward mobility. Like mentioned in Rihanna’s song “American Oxygen”, it is these people that make up the new America. These immigrants--throughout the entire American history--makeup American Society, and demonstrate the founding principles that America will offer them freedom and the opportunity to achieve the American Dream. Even though their is a fair amount of individuals that are undocumented, these immigrants have been involved in civil rights movements that have transformed our nation, to especially be more accepting and respectful of different minority groups. An example of this was the Chicano movement that occurred mainly during the 50s, 60s and 70s. Through these civil movements, America has grown as a nation, and has become more of a nation of freedom--a founding principle. |
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