Essay+Questions

Here are some essay questions for Chapters 1-11 of //The Bean Trees//. The mid-book test on //The Bean Trees// will be guaranteed to have essay questions from here.

1) Discuss how social class occurs through the novel. Give examples from the story.

2) What is one major problem that the U.S. faces with immigration? How does this problem affect characters in the story? Be sure to give examples from the story.

3) Pick one major character from the story. Tell how both meanings of "esperanza" apply to this person's life. Be sure to give examples from the story.

Here are some essay questions for Chapters 11-17 of //The Bean Trees//. The final book test on //The Bean Trees// will be guaranteed to have essay questions from the ones listed here.

1) In the novel you learn about the growth of bean trees. You also have several characters that "grow" in the novel. Pick one major character. Discuss how he/she grows throughout the novel. Be sure to give examples from the story. Then compare this character's growth to that of the bean vines. How are they alike?

2) Migration appears throughout this novel. Pick one major character. Discuss how he/she migrates from one place to another. What challenges does this character face? How does this character change and "grow" in this new place? What does this character teach you? Be sure to give examples from the story.

3) The last chapter is entitled "Rhizobia." Whar are rhizobia? How do rhizobia help bean vines? Pick two major characters from the story. How is their relationship like that of the rhizobia and the bean vines? Be sure to give examples from the story.

4) The concept of foreignness appears throughout the story. Pick one major character from the story. How does this character feel foreign in their surroundings? How does this character act in a foreign place? What are challenges this character faces in a "foreign" land? Be sure to give examples from the story.