Efrén Divided

Part of Efrén’s coming-of-age experience in the novel involves his perception of everyday “miracles” (milagros). In what sorts of daily activities does Efrén see miracles occur before Amá is deported? Once Amá is gone, and the harsh reality of life without her sets in, how does Efrén feel about the miracles Amá seemed to make happen easily? By the end of the story, how does Efrén probably feel about “miracles”? Connect your responses to Efrén’s character arc and coming-of-age.

Teaching Suggestion: Efrén lightly thinks of his mother’s cooking skills as “miracles” at the start of the story; later, when he must tend to the twins and the home, he realizes in a very real way how much work Amá put into tasks she made look easy. He resolves to help her more when she returns. Regarding how Efrén feels about miracles, answer will vary, but encourage students to note how Efrén feels about Jennifer’s return and his own goals for his presidential bid; his reactions in these plot points indicate he might think a combination of miracles and hard work affect outcomes, or that one must work diligently and selflessly to make “miracles” happen. Connect resulting discussion to the theme of Miracles Versus Reality.