Esperanza also has a trait that marks her as different. She's an ethnic minority in the United States – she's Latina. But how significant is that quality to the story? While Esperanza's cultural heritage plays a big part in establishing her feelings of closeness and connection to her family and community, we still read Esperanza as a character that pretty much everyone can identify with. Adolescence, and all the uncomfortable feelings that come along with it, is a pretty universal experience. We've all felt lonely and ashamed, awkward and ugly, and we all have hopes and dreams.