An Analysis Of Under The Mesquite By Thanhha Lai And Lupita

Lupita from the book Under the Mesquite by Guadalupe Garcia McCall and Hà from the book Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai are the main characters in each of their novels. They have many similarities, but also have many differences. The following paragraphs compare and contrast their mother-daughter relationship, loss of a parent, teacher bonds, and their character traits. To begin, Lupita, being the oldest out of 7 children, has formed a motherly role over her youngers siblings. I believe that because of this role Lupita took on, her mother treats her as more of a friend or sister. Rather than a daughter. On the other hand, Hà and her mother had a much more traditional relationship. When Hà spoke to her mother, she talked respectfully. Instead of making her mom worry more, she ranted to her siblings and her English teacher, Miss Washington, when she needed advice. Although they may seem totally different, both daughters loved and respected their mothers.

However, Hà’s loss was of her father and Lupita’s loss was of her mother. Hà’s father was missing from the war, but at the end of the novel, Hà’s family accepted his death. Whereas, Lupita’s mother knew she was going to die and tried to treat her cancer with chemotherapy. Lupita’s mom eventually died due to her cancer. Lupita, together with Hà, both had time to cope with their parents’ inevitable death. For the most part, I think Hà and Lupita took the death of a parent fairly similarly. Considering they both turned to something they loved to help them deal with the deaths. Lupita’s being poetry and Hà’s being learning