In the book Enrique's Journey by Sonia Nazario, Lourdes is the mother of the main character,
Enrique, and his sister Belky. Lourdes is a single mother who struggles to support her two young children
in their native Honduras. She uproots herself from her family and her country, traveling to the United States of America to pursue better-paying work with the hopes of being able to provide for her family and give her children a better future. Three dominant personality traits guide Lourdes' journey up North:
Strong faith in God, love for her family, and navet that develops into pragmatism as her life journey progresses. With these traits, she is able to navigate the intricacies of motherhood that are complicated by a physical separation and geographical distance.
I chose Lourdes for this assignment, as I find her difficult life choice and the consequences of it
very confusing. She left her children wondering whether she loved them since she had left without any explanation. I cannot imagine my parents leaving me for another country, not knowing if I would be able to see them ever again. I would rather struggle, go hungry, live on the streets, and work as a little child, than live one day without a good night kiss from my mother and father. However, my view may not be very well informed since I have been growing up very privileged and never experienced any struggle.
First Lourdes' dominant personality trait is her faith in God. Her faith stays the same from the
beginning to the end of the story. She never questions her faith, turning to God in the times of the most difficulties and fear. "[Enrique] will remember only one thing that she says to him before leaving Honduras: "Don't forget to go to church this afternoon" (page 5). When Lourdes' brother is killed, she becomes worried about what would happen to her daughter, Diana, if Lourdes is deported or dies. She finds peace once Diana gets baptized: "A priest sprinkles her with holy water. Lourdes feels that one worry, al least, has been lifted" (page 30). Her trust in God motivates her to follow the journey she has embarked on, looking for guidance, entrusting herself fully.
The second trait that does not change throughout the st...
