Journal four - Joel Caserta

Learning factors

The story that stuck out in the way of learning experiences to me was The Earl of Tennessee, which introduces a new character, Earl.

Earl is a neighbour of Esperanza, who lives in the apartment building owned by Edna that is next door to Esperanza's house. Earl is a man who can easily remind the reader of the Texas oil tycoon stereotype, He speaks with a noticeable southern accent, smokes cigars, and has a hat on every time they see him. He works nights as a Jukebox repair man, a trade he learned while living down south.

The children, being young, and naïve as they are, take notice to Earl's lifestyle. Rumours pose to him being married, with some people claiming to have seen his wife. Esperanza's mother describes a blonde, pale woman who she has seen around, while a neighbour boy describes a tall red-headed woman in tight pink pants to be his wife. The children are much too young to understand that neither these women are his wife, rather escort's that he has hired. It is obvious as to the profession of the women by a quote from the book. "Whenever she arrives he holds her by the tight of her crook of her arm. They walk fast into the apartment, lock the door behind them and never stay long." (Cisneros 71).

While the children do not understand what is going on, it reinforces the often negative environment that their neighbourhood poses to them. More than likely, crime, prostitution, and drug running are widespread in this neighbourhood, only the children are too young to understand as many a child is.