Efren Divided chapter 19 by Ernesto Cisneros read aloud

Brant Crowther

28 Mar 202305:29

Summary

TLDRIn a school filled with tension, Efren is expected to confront David over a poster incident. Surprisingly, he offers a handshake, turning a potential fight into a moment of unity. Their friendship, strengthened by mutual respect and shared experiences, leads Efren to reconsider his decision to drop out of a school election. Inspired by David's support and his mother's influence, Efren decides to run, vowing to make a difference and educate others about their rights. This heartfelt narrative showcases the power of friendship and the importance of standing up for what is right.

Takeaways

👋 Efren is excused from the office but chooses to wait for David instead of getting lunch first, showing his loyalty and concern for their friendship.
🤝 Efren extends a hand to David rather than engaging in a fight, demonstrating his maturity and desire for reconciliation.
😔 The community's reaction to Efren's gesture is initially negative, with boos and hisses, indicating a deep-seated tension.
🌟 David acknowledges Efren's past kindness and support, highlighting the importance of their friendship and mutual respect.
🏆 Efren decides to drop out of the race to support David, showing his selflessness and commitment to their friendship over personal ambition.
🙅‍♂️ David refuses to let Efren quit, insisting that Efren deserves the position and has proven his character.
📢 David encourages Efren to run for office to make a positive impact, emphasizing that Efren's values can influence the school and the world.
😢 The conversation reveals a personal tragedy involving Efren's mother, adding emotional depth to his character and motivations.
🤗 David comforts Efren with a 'bro hug,' symbolizing their strong bond and mutual support.
📜 Efren contemplates his role and decides to use his position to educate parents and fight for rights, showing his dedication to social justice.
🗣️ Efren seeks the support of his friends to start a campaign, illustrating the power of teamwork and collective action.

Q & A

Why did Efren go back upstairs to the quad area instead of getting his lunch?
-Efren went back upstairs to the quad area to wait for David, indicating his intention to confront or reconcile with him.
What was the expectation of the students when Efren and David met at the quad area?
-The students expected a big fight between Efren and David, as indicated by them stopping and gathering to watch.
How did Efren react to the students' expectations of a fight?
-Efren defied the students' expectations by calmly walking over and extending his hand to David instead of engaging in a fight.
What did David mean when he said he was returning a favor to Efren?
-David referred to the time when he first moved to the neighborhood and Efren treated him kindly, calling him an honorary Mexican and helping him fit in.
Why did Efren decide to drop out of the race for student president?
-Efren decided to drop out of the race because he didn't want to run against his best friend David, and also because of the incident with his vandalized poster.
What was David's response to Efren's decision to drop out of the race?
-David insisted that Efren should not quit, stating that he was running only to counteract people's perception of him as stupid, and that Efren should be the one to win.
What role did Efren's mother play in influencing his decision to stay in the race?
-Efren's mother, referred to as 'Amma', had a significant influence on him. David encouraged Efren to continue for his mother's sake, indicating her importance in his life.
What gesture did David and Efren share that symbolized their strong friendship?
-David and Efren shared the longest 'bro hug' the school had ever seen, symbolizing their deep and reconciled friendship.
What motivated Efren to change his mind about quitting the race?
-Efren was motivated by his mother's influence, David's support, and the realization that he could make a difference, especially after reflecting on his family's struggles and his own potential to be a positive change.
What did Efren decide to do instead of quitting the race?
-Instead of quitting, Efren decided to start a campaign to educate parents about their rights and possibly get schools to join them in their cause.
What is the significance of the wrought iron fence in Efren's reflection?
-The wrought iron fence symbolizes the border wall ('El Muro') that separates Efren from his mother, and his reflection on it represents his determination not to give up, just as his mother never did.

Outlines

00:00

🤝 Reconciliation and Election Decision

In this chapter, Efren is expected to engage in a fight with David during the nutrition break, but instead of fulfilling the crowd's anticipation, he chooses to reconcile with David. They exchange apologies and acknowledge the mutual respect and support they have for each other. Efren recalls how David treated him as an honorary Mexican when he first moved to the neighborhood, teaching him Spanish and helping him fit in. David is touched by Efren's gesture of dropping out of a school election to support him, but insists that Efren should continue because he believes in his friend's potential. They decide to support each other, with David suggesting the roles of president and vice president, respectively. The chapter ends with a touching moment where they share a long, supportive hug, signifying their strong bond and decision to make a positive impact at school.

05:03

🌟 Becoming the Change and Sobriety

The second paragraph transitions into a reflective and motivational tone. It suggests that the protagonist has reached a turning point in his life where he decides to embody the change he wishes to see in the world. The narrative hints at a personal struggle with substance abuse, as indicated by the phrase 'to be sober too.' It concludes with a mention of additional elements such as a glossary of Spanish words, acknowledgments, and some background information about Ernesto Cisneros, presumably the author or a significant character. This paragraph serves as a closing note that encapsulates the theme of personal growth and the author's appreciation for the audience's engagement with the story.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Nutrition Break

A 'nutrition break' refers to a scheduled pause during the school day when students can eat lunch or a snack. In the video's context, it is the time when Efren is excused from the office and instead of getting his lunch, he chooses to wait for David, indicating his priorities and the significance of their relationship.

💡Quad Area

The 'quad area' typically refers to a central open space or courtyard within a school campus. In the script, it is the location where Efren chooses to wait for David, setting the stage for their interaction and the pivotal moment where they reconcile.

💡Fight

A 'fight' in this context implies a physical altercation or confrontation. The script builds up to a moment where the audience expects a fight between Efren and David, but instead, they witness a peaceful resolution, highlighting the theme of overcoming conflict.

💡Reconciliation

Reconciliation is the act of restoring friendship or harmony after a disagreement. The script's theme revolves around Efren and David's reconciliation, where instead of fighting, they choose to mend their friendship, showcasing the importance of forgiveness and understanding.

💡Election

An 'election' in this context refers to a process where students vote for their peers to hold positions of responsibility within the school. The script involves Efren and David's decisions regarding their participation in the school election, which becomes a metaphor for their personal growth and values.

💡Poster

A 'poster' in the script represents a campaign material used in the school election. The damage to Efren's poster signifies a low point in his campaign, but it also serves as a catalyst for him to reconsider his values and priorities.

💡Presidente

In the script, 'Presidente' is a playful term used to refer to the school president position that Efren is running for. It is also a term that David uses to support Efren's decision to continue in the election, emphasizing their camaraderie and mutual respect.

💡Vice President

The term 'vice president' is used to describe the second-highest position in the school's leadership hierarchy. David suggests that this role suits him, indicating his humility and his willingness to support Efren's leadership.

💡Latinos

The term 'Latinos' refers to people from Latin America or of Latin American descent. In the video, it is used to highlight the cultural identity and the challenges faced by Efren and his community, adding depth to the characters and the story's social context.

💡Campaign

A 'campaign' in this context refers to a series of planned activities aimed at achieving a particular goal, such as educating parents about their rights. Efren's decision to start a campaign reflects his commitment to making a positive change, aligning with the video's message of empowerment.

💡Resignation Letter

A 'resignation letter' is a formal document indicating one's intention to leave a position or role. Efren's initial decision to write a resignation letter symbolizes his moment of doubt, but his ultimate decision to tear it up represents his resolve to stay and fight for what he believes in.

Highlights

Efren is excused from the office minutes before the nutrition break but chooses to wait for David instead of getting his lunch.

Efren and David's potential fight becomes a moment of reconciliation and mutual support.

David acknowledges Efren's kindness and support when he first moved to the neighborhood.

Efren and David's friendship is rekindled, emphasizing the importance of loyalty and understanding.

Efren decides to drop out of the race for president, showing his selflessness and support for David.

David encourages Efren to continue running for president, highlighting his belief in Efren's capabilities.

Efren reflects on his mother's influence and the support she provided, which inspires him to not give up.

Efren and David share a heartfelt moment, symbolizing their deep bond and mutual understanding.

Efren decides to start a campaign to educate parents about their rights, showing his commitment to making a difference.

Efren's resolve to not be a quitter is solidified by his memories of his mother's resilience and strength.

Efren, David, Jennifer, and Han come together to support each other and work towards a common goal.

Efren tears up his resignation letter, symbolizing his decision to continue fighting for what he believes in.

The group's collective decision to face challenges together emphasizes the power of unity and friendship.

Efren's determination to be the change he wants to see in the world is a central theme of the narrative.

The story concludes with a sense of hope and the characters' readiness to face the future with courage and purpose.