Enrique's Journey Essay

Written by Sonia Nazario, Enrique's Journey is a book that has a profound impact on readers beyond just increasing their knowledge of the hardships faced by immigrants. The book has the power to evoke empathy and create an emotional connection between the reader and the immigrant experience. It highlights the dangers and risks associated with migration, sheds light on the issue of family separation, and encourages readers to take action and advocate for change. By sharing the perilous journey of Enrique in search of his mother Lourdes, Nazario brings to life the human side of immigration, making it personal and relatable for readers.
First, the book exposes readers to the realities of poverty and the economic inequality that drives many immigrants

In this book specifically, the separation of children from their mothers. From the moment their mothers say goodbye, children consider their mothers to be, “larger than life,” (7). In their mothers’ absence, children long for their care and support. This highlights the importance of a mother’s role in a child’s life. Even in more developed countries, some children suffer psychologically while growing up due to the absence of a mother-figure, or any other parental figure. This proves that this is a universal experience that should be brought to light. Like the other migrant children, Enrique believed that all of his problems would be resolved once he found his mother. However, when he finally reunited with her, he is only reminded of the emotional damage his mother caused him. Blinded by his anger, he expresses emotional distress directed at his mother by saying, “‘You long ago lost the right to tell me what to do,’” (198). From the moment he is left behind in Honduras by his mother, Enrique struggles to cope with his feelings of abandonment. He grows up without the love and nurture of his mother, and this affects his self-esteem, leading to a sense of worthlessness and hopelessness. Without someone to guide him, he falls into the life of a delinquent, sniffing glue and doing drugs. It is evident through his journey that family separation ingrains devastating effects on him and other