The book presents a story of Sofia, a brave and smart 14 years old Hispanic girl. The author highlights that Sofia lives with her sister Lucy, her mother and father in a poor Mexican barrio in the small Texas town of McAllen. In developing the story, the author also presents Berta who is Sofia’s close friend and comrade. The story is coherent in describing the concept comadre. The concept comadre is explained in details as the story progresses. Although Sofia and Berta have grown and developed in different settings, the two have been a close friend over years. On her side, Berta has a boyfriend who she intends to marry. She also likes watching romantic movies, and has the knowledge sewing. However, Sofia wants to fight for her life, especially to discover the unfolding in the world in pursuit of desire of learning new things in society.
Sofia undervalues some discriminating traditional values and beliefs; however, she pays attention to family values and beliefs as presented by her parents and sister. The book presents the significant of fighting against impunity and inappropriate behaviours in the society. In her early school years, Sofia was vibrant in attempting to fight for her rights in the society with less consideration of social beliefs and perceptions. Sofia confidence in her activities is particularly explored when her teachers claims that she demonstrates her ability “By kicking her butt at school, by beating her in English, Math, everything — even sports” (Canales 40).
The story explores the important of taking a strong stand when attempting to attain one’s vision and dream. As observed in Sofia case, she demonstrates a considerable level of confidence while tackling challenging issues in the society. Sofia willingness of being successful in life is appreciated by her family members and other people in the society as she was awarded a scholarship to continue with her studies. Her father also trained her on the important of working hard in one activity by stating, “You’ll see what I’m talking about when you’re older” (Canales 35).
Sofia’s hard work is affirmed by her admirable achievements. She is able to inform and educate young generation on the significant of remaining committed while pursuing valuable activities in the society despite being a young woman from a poor background. The story is also directed towards young vibrant individuals who have a vision of living good and satisfying lives in the future.
Furthermore, the author of the story has succeeded in presenting exploring various themes. The script presents poverty and social discrimination as the main problem of the society that is under discussion. In the story, poor people in the society are discriminated by the owners of the means of production. In this context, the actor emphasises on the important of taking appropriate actions in dealing with social problems. Setting appropriate policies in the society and acknowledging the contribution of every actor in the society are some of the most effective interventions essential in addressing the identified challenges. The power in the society is exercised discriminatory with the owners of the means of production dominating social, political, and economic powers. The most powerful members of the society are resistance to the projected changes in the society. As a result, they emphasises on the importance of maintaining the status quo in the society. The dominant section in the society has been strong in the society to extent that the narrator of the story has confirmed that, “And if you really want to connect with them, to love them, you need to first figure out how they feel” (Canales 68).
As observed in the story, old people in the society, especially women do not wish to talk much about the discrimination in the society. Although middle-income earners understand the side effect of the current social settings, they are reluctant in fighting for their basic social and economic rights. In contrary, the individuals who are acting in the story are poor young people in the society. Sofia is an example of individuals who understand the discriminatory side effects of the current economic and social settings. In consideration to the trend in which young people in the society are fighting for their rights, it is clear that the community will eventually understand the role of poor people and women in the society. Sofia has therefore been effective in presenting the voice of young native America as well as the Middle Eastern women. In this respect, it is apparent that Middle Eastern women will finally acquire their fundamental rights despite the challenges that they are presently facing in fighting for their plight.
On the other hand, there is close interrelation between the text and image as presented in the book. The book has presented the power in the society as a discriminatory activity that undervalues women and poor people in the society. In this context, the author has chosen a young woman from a poor background to develop this theme in her story. The genre has influenced the readers’ perception in that; the reader has an urge of understanding some of the most effective means of solving current social problems. The main actor in the story is also from poor socio-political situation thus the dominating message in the story relates with gender and class issues. The story has also used a young woman to describe how Hispanic girl are discriminated in their culture. In the story, women are described as valueless people who are not supposed to assume active roles in political and social activities.
The story highlights clearly that class and social discrimination are some of the main challenges that hinder development in the modern society. This is because discrimination hinders the exploitation of talent of poor women in the society like in the case with Sofia. This means assuming initiatives for fostering equality and eliminating discrimination is essential in addressing most social challenges that characterize the modern society.
Work Cited
Canales, Viola. The Tequila Worm. New York, NY: Wendy Lamb Books, 2011.print.
