Efren Divided chapter 11 by Ernesto Cisneros read aloud

Brant Crowther

26 Feb 202308:16

Summary

TLDRIn this chapter, the protagonist Efren embarks on a campaign to help his friend Max become school president, using his siblings Mia and Max's enthusiasm as a driving force. Meanwhile, Efren's father, APA, struggles with the complexities of reuniting their family, as he plans to secretly deliver money to Efren's mother who is in a precarious situation. The narrative intertwines the light-hearted school campaign with the serious undertones of family separation and the immigrant experience, highlighting Efren's determination to help his family despite the risks involved.

Takeaways

📚 Mia and David are involved in a school campaign, with Mia carrying a blue roll of tape and David having put up signs around the school.
🌆 It's Friday night, and the characters plan to put up posters at school before it gets dark, with a focus on not getting caught by Ahmad.
👨‍👧‍👦 Max and Mia are referred to as 'secret weapons' by Efren, who believes their involvement will help his campaign for ASP president.
📜 Max and Mia help Efren put up posters in strategic locations around the school, such as over a drinking fountain and on the science lab door.
👀 Efren spots an open door and finds Mr. Garrett dressed as George Washington, which turns out to be for a lesson on the Constitution.
🏠 Efren misses the comfort of coming home to a warm meal and a clean apartment, hinting at a change in his family's circumstances.
📞 Efren talks to his mother (Amma) on the phone, and despite not knowing when she'll return, he is hopeful that things will go back to normal soon.
🍽️ The family enjoys churros for dessert, and Efren contemplates learning to cook for the family to maintain a sense of normalcy.
📝 Efren is determined to help his family, even considering learning to make Milagros, a traditional Mexican treat, for his own family.
🚨 There is a sense of urgency and danger as APA (possibly a family member or friend) discusses plans to sneak money to Efren's mother in San Diego.
🤝 Efren and APA agree to work together to ensure the family's safety and to bring Amma back, despite the risks involved.

Q & A

What is the main activity that the characters are preparing for?
-The characters are preparing for an election campaign. They are putting up posters around the school to support Efren's ASP presidential campaign.
Why does David have a head start with his campaign?
-David has a head start because he has already placed signs all over the school.
Why does Efren decide to take the twins back to school instead of waiting until Monday?
-Efren decides to take the twins back to school on Friday night to put up posters because his friend doesn't want to wait until Monday, aiming to gain an advantage in the campaign.
Why does Efren choose to leave his bike behind?
-Efren leaves his bike behind because he is taking the twins with him, and he cannot carry them and the posters on his bike at the same time.
What does Maxie do when he realizes they almost forgot their posters?
-Maxie runs back to the kitchen table to grab their posters before heading out the door.
How does Mia react when Efren suggests leaving the twins at home?
-Mia holds onto her scowl, indicating she is not happy with the idea of being left behind.
Why does Efren change his mind about leaving the twins at home?
-Efren feels guilty when he sees the twins' disappointed reactions and realizes that they are his 'secret weapons' for the campaign.
What is the significance of the poster Max places above the drinking fountain?
-The poster's placement above the most heavily used drinking fountain ensures maximum visibility, as everyone will see it.
Why does Efren suggest moving Max's poster to avoid it getting wet?
-Efren is concerned that the poster might get ruined if it gets wet from the water splashes when kids use the drinking fountain.
What does Mr. Garrett's George Washington costume signify?
-Mr. Garrett is dressed as George Washington because his class is going to study the Constitution, and he believes the costume will help engage the students.
What is the main concern that Efren and his friend discuss regarding getting Amma back?
-The main concern is not just raising the money but also the increased difficulty and risks involved in the current situation, including the need to get the money to Amma without her ID and the potential involvement of immigration authorities.
Why does Efren's friend suggest going to San Diego and trying to sneak the money to Amma?
-The friend believes that sometimes the best place to hide is in plain sight, and blending in might be a safer approach to deliver the money to Amma.

Outlines

00:00

🏫 School Campaign Kickoff

The story begins with the characters preparing for a school campaign. Mia and David are involved in the process, with David already having his signs displayed around the school. It's Friday night, and the protagonist's friend is eager to put up posters they've made, planning to do so before it gets dark. The protagonist leaves his bike behind to avoid crossing Civic Center Drive with the twins, Max and Mia, who are described as his 'secret weapons' for the campaign. They place posters in strategic locations around the school, including over a drinking fountain and on the science lab door. The protagonist, Efren, encounters Mr. Garrett dressed as George Washington, indicating an upcoming lesson on the Constitution. Efren shares the news about his mother's impending return, and there's a humorous moment when Mr. Garrett is caught in his costume. The day ends with the family enjoying churros and Efren speaking to his mother on the phone, expressing their longing for her return.

05:02

🛡️ Risky Plan for Family Reunion

Ephron is determined not to return to the way things were before his mother left. He plans to learn household chores to take care of his siblings, Max and Mia. However, there's tension as APA, presumably a family member or close associate, reveals the challenges of reuniting the family due to financial and legal complexities. APA intends to travel to San Diego to secretly deliver money to Ephron's mother, who is presumably in a difficult situation without her ID. The plan is risky, involving evading authorities at the border. APA shares the contact information of a cousin, Miguel, in Arizona, as a backup plan should anything go wrong. Ephron insists on helping, highlighting his role in caring for Max and Mia and expressing his commitment to the family. APA eventually agrees to work together with Ephron on the plan, acknowledging his bravery and the importance of their family unity.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Campaign

A campaign in this context refers to a series of planned activities aimed at achieving a particular goal, often in a political or promotional sense. In the video's theme, it is related to Efren's ASP presidential campaign, which is a central plot point. An example from the script is when Max rushes to put up his poster on the school campus, indicating the start of their campaign activities.

💡Posters

Posters are large printed pictures or notices, typically used for advertising or promoting something. They play a significant role in the video's narrative as tools for promoting Efren's campaign. The script mentions Max and Mia placing posters in various strategic locations around the school to garner attention and support for Efren's campaign.

💡Family

Family is a fundamental concept in the video, referring to a group of individuals who are related by blood or affinity. The script revolves around the bond between Efren, Max, Mia, and their mother, emphasizing the importance of family unity and support. For instance, Efren's determination to bring his mother back home is a driving force in the story.

💡Responsibility

Responsibility in the video is portrayed through the actions of the characters, particularly Efren, who takes on the role of a caretaker for his siblings. It is a key theme as it shows maturity and the weight of obligations one carries for their family. An example is when Efren bathes, feeds, and takes his siblings to school, mirroring the responsibilities typically held by a parent.

💡School

The school setting is a backdrop for much of the video's events. It is not only a place of education but also a community where social interactions and personal growth occur. The script describes the school as a place where the characters put up campaign posters and interact with other characters like Mr. Garrett.

💡Civic Center Drive

Civic Center Drive is a specific location mentioned in the script that represents a boundary or a point of no return for the characters. It is a street that the characters must cross to reach the school, symbolizing the challenges and risks they face. Ahmad's disapproval of taking the twins across this street highlights the danger and the protective nature of the adults in the story.

💡George Washington Costume

The George Washington costume is a humorous and symbolic element in the script. Mr. Garrett wearing the costume signifies his role as an educator preparing to teach about the Constitution. It also adds a light-hearted moment to the narrative, showing a different side to the characters' interactions.

💡Churros

Churros are a type of fried dough pastry that serve as a cultural and emotional symbol in the video. They represent a treat and a moment of normalcy and happiness amidst the challenges the characters face. The script mentions them as a dessert that Efren picks up on his way home, indicating a small pleasure in their otherwise complicated lives.

💡Citizen

Citizenship is a crucial concept in the video, as it relates to the legal status and rights of individuals within a country. The script touches on the vulnerability of non-citizens like Amma and the protective measures that citizens like Efren can provide. The term is used when discussing the risks of crossing the border and the safety of being a citizen.

💡Risk

Risk is a central theme in the video, representing the dangers and uncertainties the characters face. It is particularly evident in APA's plan to sneak money to Amma across the border, which involves significant peril. The script illustrates this when APA expresses his nervousness about the plan and the potential consequences.

💡ASP Presidential Campaign

The ASP Presidential Campaign is a specific event within the video that serves as a catalyst for the plot. It is a school-based election campaign that Efren is involved in, which also parallels his personal campaign to reunite his family. The script details the campaign's kickoff and the enthusiasm of the characters involved, such as Max and Mia placing posters.

Highlights

Mia and David are preparing for a campaign with posters and signs all over the school.

David has a head start in his campaign and plans to put up posters on a Friday night.

Efren and his siblings are determined to get their mother back.

Efren decides to leave his bike behind to take his siblings to school.

Max and Mia are Efren's secret weapons for the campaign.

Efren's campaign posters are strategically placed for maximum visibility.

Mr. Garrett is seen dressed as George Washington for an upcoming Constitution lesson.

Efren's mother is not yet back, but there is hope she will be soon.

Efren plans to learn to cook and clean to prevent going back to the old normal.

The family enjoys a dessert of churros and a Dr. Seuss book before bedtime.

Efren and his family are planning to bring their mother back from a difficult situation.

APA reveals the challenges of getting money to Efren's mother without her ID.

Efren is determined to help his family despite the risks.

APA and Efren agree to work together to bring their mother back.

Efren is given his cousin Miguel's information for emergency contact.

APA expresses pride in Efren's bravery, despite the challenges they face.