Literary Conflict in Esperanza Rising

Storyboarding is an excellent way to focus on types of literary conflicts.

Having students create storyboards that show the cause and effect of different types of conflicts strengthens analytical thinking about literary concepts. Have your students choose an example of each literary conflict in Esperanza Rising and depict them using the Storyboard Creator. In the storyboard, an example of each conflict should be visually represented, along with an explanation of the scene, and how it fits the particular category of conflict.

Examples of Literary Conflict in Esperanza Rising

CHARACTER vs. MAN

Tio Luis causes a serious conflict for Esperanza and her mother when he demands that Mama marry him or else...When she refuses, Tio Luis burns down their house and vineyard.

CHARACTER vs. SELF

Esperanza struggles to go on when things get difficult. After Mama goes to the hospital, Esperanza cries every night and is not sure she has the inner strength to keep fighting to survive.

CHARACTER vs. NATURE

Nature is in conflict with Esperanza when a dust storm arises. The high winds and thick dust make it difficult to breathe and cause Mama to get sick with Valley Fever.

CHARACTER vs. SOCIETY

As a Mexican immigrant during the Great Depression, Esperanza, her family, and friends face prejudice from the white Americans. The Mexican company camps are poorly built and Mexican workers are often fired from jobs when white workers need the money.

Student Instructions

Create a storyboard that shows at least three forms of literary conflict in Esperanza Rising.

1. Identify conflicts in Esperanza Rising.
2. Categorize each conflict as Character vs. Character, Character vs. Self, Character vs. Society, Character vs. Nature, or Character vs. Technology.
3. Illustrate conflicts in the cells, using characters from the story.
4. Write a short description of the conflict below the cell.