Essay Questions

How is the idea of a difficult life brought out in Cristina Henriquez’s The Book of Unknown Americans?

In the novel, we meet Arturo and Alma, a couple struggling to secure their daughter’s health after a traumatic injury that renders her mentally unstable. The couple moves from Mexico to the United States in the hope that their daughter will have better chances at getting better healthcare. However, Arturo loses his job which leaves the family with no source of food. Once Arturo passes on, the family has to relocate to Mexico, unable to cope. The family’s struggles become the writer’s presentation of a difficult life characterized by impoverishment.

How does the author present the idea of injustice in The Book of Unknown Americans?

Mayor’s love for Maribel does not go unnoticed by the bullies who make fun of him for falling in love with a mentally disabled girl. One of the bullies. Garett is found harassing Maribel. Maribel’s mother Alma notices Garett taking advantage of her daughter and harassing her. Even though the incident is reported to the authorities by Maribel’s mother, Alma, the authorities are unable to do anything arguing that there was no wrongdoing. The failure of the authorities to take action against Garett for taking advantage of a mentally challenged girl is one injustice that cannot be missed in the work.

Explore the character traits of Mayor is brought out in the novel.

Mayor is painted as quite loving a character. When he falls in love with Maribel he does not let the treatment that he receives from his peers dictate his relationship. Additionally, he is humane as he sees Maribel as a capable person unlike the bullies who call her retarded and also try to take advantage of her. For instance, Garett tries to take advantage of Maribel seeing as she is incapable of protecting herself. Because Mayor survives the taunting of his peers, he can be argued as a persevering individual.