Jontay B 2

As I read the prompt, the first immigrant that came to mind for me was my grandfather. My grandfather was born and raised in Trinidad and Tobago, with his mother, father, and two siblings. His family struggled at times, but he managed to get by. He lived in the Caribbean until he was able to save enough money to move to the states. Upon his arrival, he hopped from job to job, until he started driving buses for schools which became his profession. After driving a handful of years for a company, he eventually opened up his own bus company which he worked and ran until he was seventy. He recently just retired in 2019, and was finally able to purchase his dream home in Florida a year before. I felt like the vignette “A House of My Own” connected well with my grandfather. Esperanza described to us her dream home and how she wanted it set up. Pictures on the walls that weren’t of men, flowers on the porch, a porch, her shoes by her bedside. My grandfather used to talk nonstop exactly the same way, how he would decorate the inside of his home and how he’d have his flowers growing perfectly in the front. He wanted a pool, which he was able to get with the house, and just wanted to be at peace. Esperanza also expresses how she wants her home to be solely owned by her and that no males are allowed. This was the author’s way of expressing Esperanza’s freedom from all male power and dominance over her. In a way this connected with my grandfather because he’s always lived with other family and just wanted to be alone. He expressed that he didn’t mind if we visited, but having a home to his own was his escape from everyone else, so he can have his time to do whatever he pleases.