Efren Divided Chapter 7 by Ernesto Cisneros Read aloud

Summary

In this poignant script, Efren, a young boy, struggles with the deportation of his mother, Emma, and the responsibility of caring for his siblings, Max and Mia. Amidst the chaos of daily life and school, he grapples with feelings of inadequacy and the harsh reality of his family's situation. Efren's world is further complicated by his father's new job, the emotional support from his teacher, Mr. Garrett, and his own silent battle to provide for his family, symbolized by discreetly collecting discarded food from the school cafeteria.

Takeaways

• 🛁 Max and Mia demand attention during bath time, leading to a lot of splashing and Efren feeling exhausted.
• 🏡 Efren reflects on the disparity between his living conditions and the homes of his peers, feeling a sense of inadequacy and despair.
• 📚 Efren struggles with his schoolwork, distracted by thoughts of his family's situation and the absence of his mother, Emma.
• 🍕 Efren's father, APA, brings home a pizza for the family and reveals that he has taken an overtime job, adding to Efren's concerns about his father's well-being.
• 💰 APA provides Efren with some money for food, highlighting the financial strain the family is under and Efren's growing sense of responsibility.
• 👨‍👧‍👦 Efren feels the weight of needing to protect his younger siblings, Max and Mia, in the absence of their mother.
• 🏫 Efren faces a confrontation with his teacher, Mr. Garrett, about missing detention, revealing his emotional turmoil and defiance.
• 😔 Mr. Garrett shows concern for Efren's well-being, acknowledging that adults can overlook the struggles of children, and offers understanding and advice.
• 😢 Efren shares the truth about his mother's deportation with Mr. Garrett, opening up about his family's crisis.
• 🍴 Efren contemplates stealing food from school to help his family, showing the extent of their financial difficulties and his desperation.
• 🤔 Efren is torn between the advice to let his father handle the situation and his own desire to contribute and help his family.

Q & A

What game does Max want to play during bath time?

Max wants to play a game of Battleship during bath time.

What movie is Mia reenacting while in the bath?

Mia is reenacting the plot of 'The Little Mermaid' in the bath.

Why does Efren feel overwhelmed after putting the twins to bed?

Efren feels overwhelmed because he is faced with an hour's worth of homework but instead finds himself reflecting on his living conditions and the absence of his mother, Emma.

What does Efren's father do to support the family after Emma's deportation?

Efren's father takes an overtime job at his boss's headquarters, working late at night, and also works as a supervisor for a cleaning crew.

What does Efren's father give him for food expenses?

Efren's father gives him a bag full of coins that he had stashed from the laundry mat for food expenses.

What does Efren do when he hears the rattling of keys and the front door opening?

Efren greets his father with a hug and receives a pizza box to put in the fridge for the next day's meal.

Why does Efren feel conflicted about his father's new job?

Efren is conflicted because he worries about how his father will manage to work day and night without proper sleep.

What does Efren do when he misses his mother's cooking?

Efren takes food from the school cafeteria that other students have thrown away, to ensure there's something for Max and Mia to eat.

How does Efren's teacher, Mr. Garrett, react when Efren talks back to him in class?

Surprisingly, Mr. Garrett does not punish Efren but instead asks him to take a seat and later expresses concern for Efren's well-being.

What advice does Mr. Garrett give Efren regarding his mother's deportation?

Mr. Garrett advises Efren to leave the situation to his father, as it is too much for a child to handle, and encourages him to trust his father to handle it.

Why does Efren feel the need to protect Max and Mia?

Efren feels the need to protect Max and Mia because he is the oldest and feels responsible for their well-being, especially with their mother deported and father trying to bring her back.