I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter

Though initially reluctant to go to Mexico, Julia admits: “Maybe Amá was right for once. Maybe this is what I needed” (245). In what ways does Julia’s trip to Mexico help her heal?

Julia is staunchly not religious, unlike the rest of her traditional family. In times of grief and hardship, while her family turns to religion as a coping mechanism, what or whom does Julia turn to? Does it work?

Considering Julia is likely to speak to her family exclusively in Spanish, which moments or parts of conversations has Sánchez chosen to not translate into English? What effect do the interspersed Spanish phrases and words have on the story?

Why does Julia feel so angry when she finds out about Olga’s affair? How might Olga’s relationships with her parents and with Julia have been different had she not been indefinitely waiting for Dr. Castillo?

Her family’s secrets “feel like strangling vines” (314) to Julia, and she repeatedly stresses how much they are taking a toll on her. Why does she ultimately keep them to herself? What does this decision suggest about her change in mental health, as well as her relationship with her parents?

Julia’s favorite painting at the Art Institute is Judith Slaying Holofernes, by Artemisia Gentileschi. Knowing that Gentileschi was raped by her teacher and created this iconic painting, perhaps in response to her trauma, how does Julia’s perception of the heroic Judith compare to that of her mother, after finding out Amá was raped at the border?

While helping Julia apply to colleges, Mr. Ingman insists that she discuss her parents’ undocumented status. Julia is reluctant to disclose that in her application, as this is perhaps her family’s most important secret. How might her family’s precarious immigration status influence Julia’s ambitions and willingness to leave her family? What do her reflections on this secret reveal about her relationship with her parents?

Julia sees how hard her parents work, often feeling guilty that she does not help them as much as Olga did. Nevertheless, she admits: “My hands look like they’ve never had to work hard, and I’d like to keep them that way” (242). Compare what success looks like to both Julia and her parents. How do these cultural and generational differences affect Amá and Apa’s ability to understand and support their daughter? How do these differences influence Julia’s understanding of her parents?