Farm Work

Farm work symbolizes poverty and hardship. After immigrating to California, the women and men must live as migrant farm workers in order to support themselves and their children. The hardships of this way of life—such as poverty, frequent relocation, and the inclusion of the children in the arduous farm work—are inimical to familial happiness and stability.

House Work

House work symbolizes patriarchy and misogyny. Despite the fact that the men and women both work in the fields, the men never help with any household work such as cooking, cleaning, and childcare. In this way, the men assert and perpetuate dynamics of patriarchal oppression towards their wives.

The School

The school symbolizes the external pressures of cultural assimilation. During the years that the children attend school, they steadily assimilate into local culture. They learn English, and their teachers and classmates often assign them western...