Efren Divided Ch 8

Alejandra Rubio

23 Jan 202316:00

Summary

TLDRThe script presents a poignant narrative set in a household where the children, Max and Mia, are engrossed in playful activities while their older brother Efren, takes on the responsibility of caring for them. Efren struggles with the emotional burden of their mother's deportation, a secret he's been keeping from the twins. As the evening unfolds, the family dynamics are tested when a collect call from their mother ignites a series of questions about her absence. Efren is forced to explain the concept of deportation to the confused and upset twins, using the analogy of a story from a Dr. Seuss book to help them understand. The narrative explores the emotional turmoil within the family, the impact of immigration policies on personal lives, and the resilience of a brother trying to shield his siblings from harsh realities. The story concludes with Efren's growing anxiety about their situation, symbolized by his late-night internet searches and the haunting image of a divided North America, reflecting the deep-seated fears of families affected by immigration enforcement.

Takeaways

👨‍👧‍👦 The story revolves around Efren, a young man who is taking care of his siblings, Max and Mia, while their mother is away.
🏡 The family is living in a challenging situation, with the mother having been deported and Efren trying to keep the children unaware of their circumstances.
🍕 Efren is seen reheating pizza for the children, symbolizing the makeshift and improvised nature of their daily life.
🧀 The children are engaged in playful activities like making forts with their mattresses, indicating a sense of normalcy amidst their situation.
📞 A phone call from their mother brings mixed emotions, with the children showing excitement but also confusion and anger about her absence.
🛒 Efren is struggling with the morality of his actions, such as taking food from a school's trash bin to provide for his siblings.
🚫 The reality of their mother's deportation is slowly revealed to the children, with Efren explaining the concept to them in a way they can understand.
🤔 The children's questions about their mother's absence and why she was taken away reflect their confusion and the complexity of the immigration issue.
📚 Efren uses a Dr. Seuss book to help explain the situation, showing his effort to provide comfort and clarity in a difficult time.
📺 The family's silence during dinner and the lack of engagement with their favorite show highlight the emotional impact of their situation.
🕰 The passage of time is marked by Efren's concern for his father's late return, indicating the heightened sense of vulnerability and fear they live with.
🌐 Efren's online search for information about ICE checkpoints and the immigration situation reflects the family's anxiety and the broader social context they are a part of.

Q & A

What activity were the Twins engaged in at the beginning of the script?
-The Twins were busy turning over the mattresses and setting up fortresses.
How does Efren reheat the pizza?
-Efren reheats the pizza over the Comal, using wooden thunks to turn each slice on the griddle.
What does Efren feel when he looks at the food arrangement?
-Efren feels shame over what he has done, reminding himself that taking food from the trash bin isn't really stealing.
Why is Efren worried when the phone rings?
-Efren is worried that the call might be from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) looking for him or that he might already be in trouble.
What does Efren tell the Twins about their mother's situation?
-Efren tells the Twins that their mother was not arrested but deported, which means she was taken away because she was in the country without legal permission.
How does Mia react to the news about their mother?
-Mia becomes upset and acts out, expressing that she is mad at their mother for leaving them for so long.
What does Efren do to try to distract the Twins from their mother's absence?
-Efren tries to distract the Twins by preparing a meal, setting up a buffet-like arrangement, and later by reading them a story.
What is the significance of the Dr. Seuss book that Efren finds on the floor?
-The Dr. Seuss book is used as a metaphor to explain the concept of deportation to the Twins, relating it to the story of 'The Sneetches' where stars don't matter in the end.
Why does Efren search for information about ICE checkpoints online?
-Efren searches for information about ICE checkpoints to find out if there are any announced raids in their area that could affect them.
How does Efren feel about the possibility of being deported?
-Efren feels a deep sense of fear and anxiety about the possibility of being deported, which is evident in his late-night worries and the haunting images he sees on the ceiling.
What does the arrival of the black pickup truck signify in the script?
-The arrival of the black pickup truck initially causes tension and fear, as it is associated with ICE and deportation. However, it turns out to be a member of Rafa's crew showing off his new ride, which brings relief to Efren.

Outlines

00:00

🏡 Family Dynamics and Financial Struggles

The first paragraph introduces the setting of a busy household where the twins are playing while Efren, presumably their older sibling, is reheating pizza. It's revealed that the family is facing financial difficulties, as Efren uses wooden thunks to save on electricity and takes food from the school's trash bin. The family dynamic is further explored when the twins are called to dinner, and Efren tries to maintain a sense of normalcy by serving pizza and arranging a makeshift buffet. The paragraph ends with a phone call from 'Amma,' likely the mother, who is away, possibly due to immigration issues, causing tension and sadness within the family.

05:02

🗣️ Difficult Conversations and Emotional Responses

In the second paragraph, the family gathers for a meal where the truth about their mother's situation is revealed. Initially, there is an awkward silence as Max's plate remains untouched, indicating a sense of unease. Efren finally discloses that their mother was deported, not arrested, and explains the concept of being in a country without legal permission. The twins express confusion and a desire to give their mother permission to stay. The meal concludes with a somber atmosphere, and Efren tries to distract the children with a story, but the evening ends with the twins expressing their longing for their mother. The paragraph highlights the emotional toll that the mother's absence has on the family and the complexity of explaining immigration issues to young children.

10:04

👮‍♂️ Fear and Protection in a Troubled Neighborhood

The third paragraph shifts the focus to Efren's concerns about their neighborhood and the potential threat posed by immigration enforcement. It contrasts the presence of a respected figure, 'Bar,' who is likened to a superhero, with the menacing figure of Rafa and his crew, who are seen as troublemakers. Efren's fear is palpable as he observes the crew from his window, worried about the implications of their presence. The paragraph also delves into Efren's online research about ICE checkpoints and the broader issue of undocumented immigrants in the U.S., which heightens his anxiety. The narrative ends with Efren's contemplation of the divisive issue of building a wall, reflecting the emotional and psychological impact of the current political climate on his family.

15:05

🚔 Anxiety and the Reality of Immigration Enforcement

The final paragraph concludes with Efren's heightened anxiety about the possibility of immigration enforcement action. He is haunted by the idea of a border wall and the potential for police raids, which is symbolized by the sound of a key in the front door. The paragraph captures the constant state of alert and fear that characterizes the lives of undocumented families. It ends with a moment of relief as Efren recognizes the key's owner, suggesting a temporary reprieve from his worries but also highlighting the ever-present threat that looms over their lives.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Deportation

Deportation refers to the act of a country expelling a foreign person from its territory, usually due to the person violating immigration laws. In the script, the character Amma has been deported, which is a central theme as it impacts the family dynamics and emotional state of the characters. The deportation is mentioned when Efren explains to Max and Mia why their mother is not with them: 'Amma got arrested, no, deported.'

💡Immigration

Immigration is the process of moving from one country to another with the intention of living there permanently. The script touches on the complexities of immigration, particularly the challenges faced by undocumented immigrants. It is a key concept as it explains Amma's situation and the family's struggles: 'she doesn't have permission to be here.'

💡Undocumented Immigrants

An undocumented immigrant is a person who resides in a country without the legal right to be there, often lacking the necessary documentation or visa. The script portrays the life of a family dealing with the consequences of having an undocumented family member: 'Children of illegal immigrants like a man about his stomach Twisted.'

💡Family Separation

Family separation is the act of forcibly detaching family members from each other, often a consequence of immigration enforcement. The script illustrates the emotional distress caused by Amma's deportation, which separates her from her children: 'Mia was too young to understand that I found a room it's not much but the owner's willing to wait for payment.'

💡Fear

Fear is an emotional response to perceived threats or danger. In the script, the characters experience fear due to their precarious immigration status and the potential for further family separation: 'Efren hadn't even set the phone down, when he felt kicked at his shin he looked over at Mia who was winding up, for a second attack.'

💡Financial Struggles

Financial struggles refer to difficulties in managing one's economic resources, often leading to a lower quality of life. The script highlights the family's financial challenges, particularly after Amma's deportation: 'Efren looked down at the arrangements of food and felt shame over what he'd done.'

💡Cultural Identity

Cultural identity is an individual's sense of belonging to a cultural group, shaped by their experiences and beliefs. The script explores cultural identity through the family's experiences as immigrants and their interactions with their new environment: 'Efren opened the top cupboards and reached over for Rama's favorite platter.'

💡ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement)

ICE is a federal agency in the U.S. responsible for enforcing immigration laws, which can include apprehending and deporting individuals who are in the country illegally. The script mentions ICE in the context of Amma's deportation: 'who took her, immigration ice.'

💡Checkpoints

Checkpoints are points, usually on a border or along a route, where vehicles and individuals are stopped and checked for compliance with laws, often by law enforcement or immigration authorities. The script alludes to the fear and reality of ICE checkpoints: 'Efren did a search for Ice checkpoints in their area.'

💡The Wall

The Wall refers to a proposed or actual barrier along the U.S.-Mexico border, aimed at preventing illegal immigration and drug trafficking. The script mentions the wall as a symbol of division and fear: 'Talk of the wall haunted him.'

💡Coping Mechanisms

Coping mechanisms are strategies used to manage stress or emotional pain. In the script, the characters use various methods to cope with their situation, such as distraction and denial: 'the rest of the meal was spent in silence, no one ate not even Max.'

Highlights

The twins are busy turning over mattresses and setting up fortresses while Efren reheats pizza on the comal.

Efren uses wooden thunks to turn the pizza slices on the griddle since the cheese doesn't stick when cold.

Max and Mia are on their mattresses, wrapping themselves in bed sheets to create a fort.

Efren feels shame over using food from the school's trash bin, but tries to push the feeling aside.

Efren receives a collect call from his mother, who has been deported to Mexico.

Mia is upset with her mother for leaving them for so long and refuses to speak to her on the phone.

Efren tells the twins the truth about their mother being deported and not arrested.

Max and Mia don't fully understand what deportation means and why their mother was taken away.

Efren uses the story of Star Belly Sneetches from a Dr. Seuss book to help explain the situation.

The family has a somber meal where no one eats, reflecting on the difficult conversation.

Efren tries to distract the twins with their favorite show on TV, but no one speaks or engages.

At bedtime, Efren struggles to read a book to the twins as they have more questions and tantrums.

Efren feels worried and anxious about his brother being out late and not returning home.

Efren recalls his father's stories of being a police lieutenant in Mexico and taking down dangerous criminals.

Efren is concerned about Rafa and his crew hanging out near their apartment and attracting trouble.

Efren searches online for information about ICE checkpoints and deportations, becoming increasingly fearful.

Efren is haunted by the talk of a border wall and the possibility of being taken away by the police.

Efren is startled when he hears the front door being unlocked, fearing it could be the police coming for them.