The reason I chose this section is that it shows the theme of this book, which is resistance. A group of men wants to take away an old lady's granddaughter. But she refused to give in to them, going as far as saying that they could only take her over her dead body. Which was a very powerful statement.

Nowadays they can't stand the sight of them-you see,

the priests have betrayed those who have always treated

them well." (35).

We chose this part of the reading because it reflects how the landowners have been benefiting from the peasants' hard work and sacrifices while giving nothing in return. Now that the priests have started helping the peasants and making them aware of how they're being exploited, the landowners resent them and even use the guards to target them.

I chose this quote because I thought it was pretty amazing how it describes the clouds. We all have heard the term that it's raining like dogs and cats. Where I live, it usually doesn't rain that often. However, I remember my father always telling me about the stories where it would rain dramatically at his childhood ranch in Mexico. In 2015, I remember going to my father's childhood ranch during the summer vacation and he wasn't lying. This quote reminds me about that experience I had where the lights went out while the rain was pouring hard in Mexico. - Jesus Martinez

Not even clothes because one always wears the same clothes, for laughing and crying. And that's where that song comes from, "So You're Wearing the Same Clothes." Well, what are you going to do if you live in poverty? Only complain and complain? As long as things are unclear, that's how it is.

Well, all right, the way the authorities can fuck one over; we know where that's coming from.

And we know why they harass us, why they get angry.

Well, once I asked Chepe what being aware meant, and it's that, more or less. To know why. And maybe that's why I laugh so much, because they'd like you to be all fucked over, without knowing what to do about it. It's true, I'm worried about the child, and I would give my life for her.” (Page 88)

The reason our group had picked this passage was because of the awareness of Lupe. It goes on to show her being fully aware of how she most likely will never get out of this struggle she is having, just forced to act unaware of the full situation, and just keep going. Moreover, this section also reveals the situations of many other families in El Salvador, demonstrating a need for change which we would see in later parts of the story.

We chose this passage of the reading because it shows the living conditions and how religion influences their life. The living conditions show how children tend to die very often, showing how illness can affect their well-being as families do not have the access to the resources needed to support their welfare. Religion played a key role in controlling what they do as they followed the word of the priest very closely and hardly strayed from their teachings. - Nathaniel Jaco.

I chose this passage because it highlights the themes of dehumanization, violence and oppression. The detailed explanations of the pain they went through and the extreme brutality to control and break these people. The burning wounds, the screams and the humiliating act with the toothbrush shows not only the physical suffering but also the mental suffering they went through. This passage also explain show torture was used to strip people of their dignity and put fear into people.  These harsh details show the terrible effects of violence on both individuals and society.

"One must save ourselves for ourselves" (pg 57). The quote highlights the theme of survival and personal resilience. It reflects how people struggle with violence, oppression and fear but continue moving forward even in their hardest times. The hard times in the book make it so that the men have to sleep in the mountains, there is not enough money for health and children get sick and die and people suffer abuse and violence from the authorities which leads to killings. Lupe and Jose see all this and want to help themselves by being involved in the farmworkers association which helps them learn more about their problems.

I chose this passage from the reading because it focuses on how Lupe and Jose provided for their family throughout the book. They both worked hard and made ends meet. Even though they faced struggles or obstacles. They hoped for a better life. It stood out to me because it’s true I would like to be better off and live better. I have to work hard to accomplish my goals yet I shouldn't work myself out. 

Explanation:

This group demonstrates the central theme of resilience in the face of oppression throughout the chapter. The novel highlights the brutality experienced by the poor and the courage they display despite constant violence. This line illustrates how the ruling forces rely on fear to control people, and how maintaining composure in the face of violence is an act of resistance. The protagonist’s endurance reflects the Salvadoran people's strength during political repression.