Kinship, Cumulatively

Of the different novels that we have read throughout the semester, I thought it would be interesting to explore the kinship between Esperanza and Huckleberry Finn as characters. Each is on the border of the large transition between childhood and adulthood, and each has choices to make regarding that transition, specifically, who they will be (Will Huck be a racist as his society demonstrates? Will Esperanza be a doormat as her society demonstrates? Will Huck use his money unwisely? Will Esperanza use her sexuality to gain power?) Additionally, though there is evidence of both Huck and Esperanza leaving their societies in search of something better, both of them eventually return to their societies and make them better, because they themselves have gained value and identity despite their separation (physically, emotionally and mentally) from their places of origin.