Analysis Of Under The Feet Of Jesus

The theory of Bildungsroman defines a genre that has been employed in several literature pieces albeit most novels have employed the framework partially. The Bildungsroman literary genre convention dwells on the growth of the protagonist from youth to adulthood morally and psychologically. Works that have employed the literary genre can also be referred to as coming of age genres. The novel by Viramontes entitled Under the Feet of Jesus gives an account of the plight of a family that lives as migrants. It has aspects that indicate similarities with the theories of the Bildungsroman. The essay evaluates how and to what extent the events of the novel fit the genre conventions in the Bildungsroman. Furthermore, the essay will delve into the justification behind the choice to use or not to use the genre conventions to enhance the theme of struggle as Estrella and her family experience hardships, focusing on migration and adolescence which characterize the life of the protagonist, Estrella, and her family.

Viramontes uses figurative language like similes and metaphors to show Estrella’s frustration with her lack of understanding of the world around her her teachers and her understanding of the tools. The author says, “…all that a jumbled steel inside the box… seemed as confusing and foreign as the alphabet she could not decipher.” (line 5-8). As Estrella looked inside the tool chest she was not able to identify what the tools were, which caused her to feel anger. Moreover, the author compares Estrella’s confusion of the tools in the tool chest to her understanding of the alphabet that confused her. This was significant since it showed that just like the secrets she thought were inside the tool chest, Estrella also felt her teachers were keeping secrets from her. The author says, “Estrella hated when things were kept from her. The teachers in the school did the same, never giving her the information she wanted. Estrella would ask over and over. So what is this, and point to the diagonal lines written in chalk on the

In the book Simply Jesus, N.T. Wright makes three different claims throughout. N.T. Wright's first claim is about the “perfect storm”. The “perfect storm” takes up a large section of the first few chapters, and in those chapters N.T. Wright writes about that to enter the “perfect storm” you must step out of your own storm that is happening in your life, you must jump back into the “perfect storm” just as Jesus did in his own life. N.T. Wright fails to fully support the idea of the “perfect storm” throughout the book. Wright writes about the two myths that create the “storms”, the first is “… the high-pressure system of conservative Christianity” and the second is “... the new classic modernist myth…”. N.T. Wright loses his credibility to his claims by never giving evidence that disproves they myths. N.T. Wright states that the stories in the bible “...’really did happen’. And there the matter ends…. Facts or no facts”. N.T. Wrights claims are never fully

“Finding One’s Self in Times of Trouble”: An explication of the Helena Maria Viramontes’ novel

Another literary element that Viramontes uses to better convey and develop Estrella’s character is figurative language. For example, “[the tools] seemed as confusing and foreign as the alphabet she could not decipher . . .the curves and tails of the tools

The development of characters transpire as a result of significant events in their lives. Events such as learning a new skill have the ability to transform a character’s life. Estrella in Helena Maria Viramontes’ novel Under the Feet of Jesus flourishes into an individual who once got upset over skills she did not have and was upset at the process of learning, but now understands how vital education is. Estrella was infuriated by her lack of understanding about the Perfecto’s tools and the letters on the chalkboard. She was especially agitated when the educators would not give her the answer right away The selection of detail shows the connection between two things she overcame. The tone and figurative language shows more detail about Estrella’s transformation.

By selecting which details to include Viramontes is able to depict Estrella’s change from being a perplexed child who does not read to someone who reads and understands the need to learn. At the beginning of the excerpt asks the question, “So what is this?” (line 1) Then, she continues by explaining the red tool chest and Estrella's disorientation. In the passage she states, “Estrella hated when things were kept from her” (line 12) and the toolbox was an example of something that was kept from her, a secret.The toolbox held secrets and “funny shaped objects” (lines 6-7). All of which Estrella was unaware and uninformed about. Furthermore, in school Estrella is unable to learn essential skills, such as reading and writing, due to the fact that teachers

In essence, the novel “Under the Feet of Jesus” is well-developed. Author Viramontes used three literacy devices which were selection of detail, figurative language, and tone. Selection of detail gave the reader more understanding. Figurative language gave the story a little humor and interest. Lastly, tone was used to set the mood of the excerpt. Using those three literacy elements the reader can analyze Estrella as curious, sensitive, and

Helena Maria Viramontes utilizes selection of detail throughout the passage characterize Estrella’s curiosity as well as her perplexity and frustration. At the start of the work, Viramontes begins with “Estrella hated” – a phrase that quickly distinguishes the vehement detestation of her hatred of being kept in the dark. Estrella’s frustration is further depicted how she was “very angry” – a term used to reinforce her exasperation. Estrella soon begins an anecdote, detailing her experience at school where she is made to feel ashamed of her appearance yet she constantly questions why she receives this treatment from her teachers, an example of Estrella’s persistence to fully understand. When Estrella recalls how “the desks in the back of the classroom for

Throughout the poem, since the very beginning the author uses selection of detail in order to describe Estrella’s character as she simply has no care in the world for trying to make an effort towards learning. As one begins to read, we are informed that Estrella “hated when things were kept from her.” Estrella does not like things being kept from her because she cannot and does not understand what these things are. Estrella has a growing hatred towards the thing which she could not understand, in this case it was a simple red tool chest which belonged to Perfecto. As Estrella begins to look through Perfecto’s tool box, she is quite perplexed by “the funny-shaped objects, seemed as confusing and foreign as the alphabet she could to decipher.” Estrella’s encounter with the tool box makes her very

The imagery used in the story is to help exhibit the respect and admiration that the narrator has for Clarisa. An example of said admiration is when Clarisa arrives home from the parade for the Pope distraught and confused. “I combed her meringue hair high on her head, tied it with a ribbon, and then sat down to accompany her through this crisis, not knowing exactly what it was,” (Allende, 438). This gives the reader a clue about Clarisa’s age, as well as provides a brief description of Clarisa. This text also gives insight into the narrator’s feelings towards Clarisa, and how concerned she is for Clarisa’s well being. Throughout the story Allende hints at the fact that Clarissa is at an age where she has become more fragile and certain activities become too much for her body to handle. “She was exhausted when she reached the house, with the din of bells and cheering still ringing in her temples” (Allende, 438). This

Knowledge is a powerful thing. Knowledge can give a person an advantage in many aspects of life. Knowledge can help an individual get a job, it can help someone get ahead in a class and it can help an individual understand what happens around them and why. In the excerpt from the novel Under the Feet of Jesus, Helena Maria Viramontes describes how and why Estrella began to read. Viramontes uses selection of detail, figurative language and tone to describe Estrella’s development from being puzzled and vitriolic to being educated and astute.

In the excerpt from the novel Under the Feet of Jesus by Helena María Viramontes, the author utilizes rhetorical questions, similes, and dehumanization in order to develop Estrella as a character who feels frustrated with the way that her life has treated her so far, but when someone finally takes the time and effort to teach her something, she stops feeling like a useless waste of space, and starts feeling proud and happy. The passage opens with the rhetorical question, “So what is this?”, and the follow-up, not far behind, “So what is this about?” This sets the tone of the passage. The point of view character, Estrella, is clearly not happy with the toolbox when she finds it.

In Helena Maria Viramontes’s, “Under the Feet of Jesus,” the description of tools within a tool box, their significance to the protagonist, and disrespect of the main character, Estrella, is described. These descriptions are brought through the intention that the reader will apply meaning to the tools, having a purpose within their toolbox. In this passage from the novel, “Under the Feet of Jesus,” Viramontes uses selective detail, figurative language and tone to develop Estrella’s character. In the beginning of the passage Estrella is portrayed as an indecent character through the use of selective detail.

Arguments can be extremely frustrating. Sometimes no matter how accurate a particular perspective appears to someone, it may be impossible to convince another to feel the same. The differences in fundamental values between people are responsible for the differences the formation of opinions. The manner in which people adopt these core beliefs is no mystery, and is explored in the documentary Jesus Camp. Humans are social animals, and cultural systems have been established since the beginning of humanity to strengthen the quality of interactions. Human babies are unable to raise themselves, and require the care of adults to foster. Throughout the process of development, children adopt the culture presented to them by adults. Children, who are psychologically developing, are extremely malleable in comparison to adults. This makes them an important focus for an adult generation looking to succeed their beliefs. This film inspects the strong Evangelical upbringing several families practice with their children, portraying this in an unflattering manner. All cultures are different, and these differences should be praised as well as made compatible with modern society as much as possible.