Efren Divided end of chapter 10 by Ernesto Cisneros read aloud

Brant Crowther

26 Feb 202306:42

Summary

TLDRThe script tells the story of Efren, a student running for ASB president, who faces a moral dilemma when he decides to run against his best friend, David. Despite the tension, Efren finds support in his family, particularly his siblings Max and Mia, who help him create campaign posters. Efren struggles with the campaign's artistic side but discovers the power of sincerity when he uses stencils to craft his message. The story highlights the importance of family, friendship, and personal growth as Efren learns to balance his ambitions with his relationships, leading to a heartfelt apology to David. The narrative is a poignant reminder of the challenges and rewards of pursuing one's goals while staying true to one's values.

Takeaways

🏠 Sunama is returning home, which will reunite the family despite the tension with David.
👣 African (Efren) is motivated by the prospect of having his mother back and plans to tell David the truth once she returns.
🚴 Efren breaks a rule by taking his siblings, Max and Mia, to school on his bicycle, which also gives him time to work on campaign posters.
📝 Efren struggles with creating campaign slogans and is unsure about which one to use for his school's ASB president election.
🍪 Miss Salas, the ASB advisor, is supportive of Efren's late entry into the election and offers him cookies as a symbol of encouragement.
🎨 Efren and David, despite their current rift, are both working on their respective campaign posters in the same room, showing their dedication to the election.
🖋️ David's artistic talent is evident in his posters, which are more advanced than Efren's, causing Efren to question his decision to run against his friend.
🔍 Efren finds a pack of stencils that helps him create more professional-looking letters for his posters, which he appreciates.
🗣️ Efren attempts to apologize to David and explain his actions, revealing that he and his family are undocumented, which is the reason behind his actions.
👫 The twins, Max and Mia, help Efren with his campaign posters, showing family support and involvement in his election efforts.
❤️ The twins' posters for Efren are heartfelt and personal, with messages like 'Best Big Brother' and 'I love him,' which deeply touch Efren.

Q & A

What is the main conflict Efren is facing?
-Efren is dealing with the internal conflict of running against his best friend David for the ASB presidency, while also dealing with the emotional turmoil of his family situation and the secret about his family's immigration status.
Why does Efren feel the need to run for ASB president?
-Efren's motivation to run for ASB president is not explicitly stated, but it can be inferred that he wants to make a difference in the school and perhaps prove himself capable and responsible, especially given his family's situation.
How does the family situation affect Efren's actions?
-Efren's family situation, particularly the return of his mother, influences his actions by giving him a sense of hope and motivation to improve his life and circumstances. It also adds to the pressure he feels to succeed in the election.
What is the significance of the bicycle ride to school?
-The bicycle ride to school with the twins is significant as it shows Efren's willingness to break rules and take responsibility, which foreshadows his potential as a leader. It also symbolizes his attempt to change his routine and take control of his life.
Why does Efren decide to use stencils for his campaign posters?
-Efren chooses to use stencils for his posters after struggling with his handwriting and being inspired by David's skillful artwork. The stencils allow him to create professional-looking letters, which he believes will help convey his message effectively.
How does the interaction with Miss Salas reflect Efren's character?
-Efren's interaction with Miss Salas shows his respect for authority and his gratitude. It also demonstrates his determination to succeed in the election, as he is eager to work on his campaign posters and is appreciative of the opportunity given to him.
What is the turning point in Efren's campaign preparation?
-The turning point in Efren's campaign preparation is when he realizes that the message is more important than the artwork. This realization leads him to focus on the content of his posters rather than the artistic skill involved.
How does David's artwork influence Efren's approach to his campaign?
-David's impressive artwork makes Efren feel inadequate and highlights the difficulty of the campaign without David's help. This realization prompts Efren to focus on the message of his campaign rather than the artistic aspect.
Why does Efren decide to talk to David in the workroom?
-Efren decides to talk to David in the workroom because he feels guilty about their strained relationship and the competition for the ASB presidency. He wants to explain his actions and mend their friendship.
What is the significance of the twins' involvement in making posters?
-The twins' involvement in making posters is significant as it shows family support and unity. It also provides a moment of bonding and collaboration for the family, which is particularly important given their recent challenges.
What is the emotional climax of the script?
-The emotional climax of the script is when Efren confesses to David about his family being undocumented. This moment is significant as it reveals the depth of Efren's personal struggles and the reason behind his actions.

Outlines

00:00

🤔 The Dilemma of Campaigning and Friendship

This paragraph introduces the protagonist, Efren, who is excited about his mother coming home and the prospect of reuniting his family. Despite feeling guilty about an incident with David, Efren is motivated to tell the truth and mend their relationship. He breaks his mother's rules to take his siblings to school on his bike, which also gives him time to start on his campaign posters for the ASB presidency. Efren struggles to come up with a campaign slogan and feels inferior to David's artistic skill. He eventually decides that the message, not the artwork, is what will win him the election. David helps Efren by providing him with stencils to improve his posters. The tension between the two characters is palpable as they work in silence, and Efren finally apologizes to David for his actions, revealing that he and his family are undocumented, which is the reason behind his behavior. The paragraph ends with an emotional moment between the two friends.

05:02

🎨 Family Bonding Over Campaign Posters

After school, Efren enlists the help of his twins, Max and Mia, to create campaign posters for his ASB president run. The children eagerly participate, with Mia using a ruler and Sharpie and Max using a brush and purple tempera paint. Efren, unsure about the design of his poster, uses stencils to add perfect letters. The twins complete their posters, with Mia creating a poster that reads 'Vote for Efren, Best Big Brother' in large, curvy red letters, and Max making a poster with the message 'Vote for Efren, I love him.' Efren is touched by the children's efforts and considers their posters the most amazing he has ever seen, highlighting the family's support and the innocence of their contribution to his campaign.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Family

Family refers to a group of individuals who are related by blood, marriage, or adoption. In the script, the theme of family is central as it revolves around the character Sunama returning home, which symbolizes the restoration of family unity. The family's wholeness is a source of emotional support and motivation for the characters, particularly for African who gains an 'extra spring in his step' upon the prospect of having his mother back.

💡Courage

Courage is the mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty. In the narrative, African finds the courage to tell David the truth and mend their relationship. This keyword is significant as it represents personal growth and the overcoming of internal struggles, which is a key element in the character's development.

💡Election

An election is a formal decision-making process by which a population chooses an individual to hold public office. The script mentions a school election for the position of ASB (Associated Student Body) president. The election serves as a backdrop for the competition between the characters Efren and David, highlighting themes of ambition, friendship, and integrity.

💡Campaign Posters

Campaign posters are visual materials used to promote a candidate's political campaign. In the story, Efren creates campaign posters to promote his candidacy for ASB president. The posters symbolize the effort and creativity put into the election campaign and also serve as a medium for Efren to convey his message to the voters.

💡Truth

Truth refers to the state of being in accordance with fact or reality. The concept of truth is pivotal in the script as African plans to reveal a truth to David, which signifies a turning point in their relationship. The truth-telling is a critical plot device that adds depth to the characters' interactions and the overall narrative.

💡Competition

Competition is a contest involving parties who aim to win. In the context of the script, competition is evident in the election for ASB president where Efren and David are running against each other. The keyword is significant as it explores the dynamics of rivalry and how it can affect personal relationships.

💡Friendship

Friendship is a close and supportive relationship between two people. The script explores the concept of friendship through the relationship between Efren and David. Despite their competition in the election, they maintain a level of respect and camaraderie, which is tested by the challenges they face.

💡Art

Art refers to various forms of creative expression, including visual arts like drawing and painting. In the script, art is used as a medium for creating campaign posters. It is a means for the characters to express their ideas and to engage in a creative process, which also becomes a bonding activity for Efren and his siblings.

💡Integrity

Integrity is the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles. The concept of integrity is subtly woven into the narrative when Efren reflects on his actions against David and the reasons behind them. It raises questions about the moral choices one makes and the impact of those choices on personal relationships.

💡Stereotype

A stereotype is a widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing. The script indirectly addresses stereotypes through the character's campaign slogans, where Efren dismisses certain options that may not accurately represent him or could perpetuate stereotypes about leadership.

💡Siblings

Siblings are individuals who share one or both parents. In the story, the twins Max and Mia are introduced as Efren's siblings. Their involvement in making posters for Efren's campaign adds a layer of family support and unity, which is a recurring theme in the narrative.

Highlights

Sunamia's return is anticipated by the family, which is expected to bring them together once again.

African feels a sense of relief and optimism about having a mother figure back in his life.

African plans to confess the truth to David and mend their relationship once Sunamia returns.

Efren breaks amma's rule by taking the twins to school on his bicycle, showing his willingness to adapt to new situations.

Efren's creative process for campaign posters is depicted, revealing his struggle with design and his eventual use of stencils.

Miss Salas's supportive role is highlighted as she allows Efren to run for ASB president despite late notice.

Efren's campaign slogan 'Efren Nava for ASB president' is chosen for its straightforward appeal.

David's artistic skill is showcased in his poster designs, which have a 3D effect through shadowing.

Efren's realization that the message, not the artwork, is crucial for his campaign reflects his growing understanding of effective campaigning.

David silently helps Efren by providing him with stencils, demonstrating a continued friendship despite their competition.

Efren's emotional confrontation with David about his actions and the reasons behind them adds depth to their relationship.

Efren's vulnerability is exposed as he struggles with the shame of his family's undocumented status.

The twins, Max and Mia, offer their artistic help to Efren, showing family support and unity.

Mia's poster design with the message 'Vote for Efren, Best Big Brother' reveals a personal and heartfelt campaign approach.

Max's independent creation of a poster with the message 'Vote for Efren, I love him' shows a child's innocent support.

Efren appreciates the twins' efforts, recognizing the emotional value of their posters despite their simplicity.

The story emphasizes the importance of family, friendship, and honesty in the face of competition and personal challenges.