Money

The theme of socioeconomic class underlies much of the novel, for many of the characters originate from disparate economic backgrounds. By contrasting these characters’ origins and life experiences, the novel explores how economic inequity can lead to unfair differences in personal experiences and opportunities. For example, Lupita is from a family that immigrated to the United States, and which has often struggled due to lack of inherited financial resources. In her youth, Lupita often felt like an outsider due to her race as well as her socioeconomic class: “[Lupita was] the only one who knew how to speak Spanish or any other language besides English; and the only one who lived above a garage with her father” (29). Not only was Lupita often bullied in school, but she also then had to face the realities of limited financial resources as she began to enter adulthood.

Dana is...