A Reflection on Enrique’s Journey by Sonia Nazario

Introduction

The Enrique’s Journey by Sonia Nazario is primarily the author's perspective on the experiences of children left by their parents at a young age. Essentially, the author describes how Enrique’s mother, Lourdes, as a struggling parent, had to bring up his sister and son. For instance, the book demonstrates how she struggled to provide for her family by doing laundry in a muddy river, going door-to-door selling tortillas, plantains, and used clothes. However, she was tired of all these struggles and decided to leave her family behind and move to the United States so that she could support the family better. Her decision to go to the United States meant leaving behind something very precious, Enrique. This decision was not favorable since Enrique was just five years old at that time and he had to undergo emotional depression. This element is particularly emotive since it makes the reader imagine living without parents at such a tender age. Consequently, the author captures this feeling by explaining how many kids, such as Enrique, spent most of their time in agony trying to remember their mother feeding them and bathing them. As a result, Lourdes' absence became larger and more significant, more important than life itself.

The Struggles of Migrants

Even though in America, these migrants faced many struggles such as paying rent and searching for food, the author shows that in their children’s imagination back home, they became deliverance itself, an answer to every situation. Finding them was like the quest for the Holy Grail. This illustrates that even though parents usually left their kids behind, the kids were always yearning to go and search for their mothers wherever they were. Another crucial aspect the author explores is the challenges migrants experience when trying to leave their home countries. For example, within the Mexican-American border, Enrique met various challenges such as encountering hostile border patrol. Additionally, he sometimes had to strip and wade into the Rio Grande to cool off, but the patrol officers always caught him and sent him back. This element depicts how difficult it was to cross the border for migrants coming to the United States. The author effectively captures the perilous journey and the emotional and physical challenges faced by these migrants, adding a layer of empathy and understanding to their plight.

Enrique's Ordeal and Growth

After Enrique managed to arrive at the borders in Texas, he finally managed to call his mother. However, his ordeal was still far from over. After several lengthy delays and complications, he managed to make a dangerous crossing, but there was no fairy tale reunion with his mother. His bitterness over the heartbreaking separation spilled into his words and actions of self-destruction. Eventually, things improved when he grew up, started working, and began seeking legal status. As a result, the author created a more profound human emotion to an issue that is highly emotive now by focusing on the story of a young boy brought up from a broken family, whose perseverance, courage, and resilience seemed extraordinary in the face of impossible odds. Equally important, migrants like Enrique also encountered people with good hearts even though they were also living impoverished lives. For instance, some individuals with kind hearts took it upon themselves to toss food and water to the immigrants who were clinging to the top and side of passing trains. These acts of kindness made me reflect and appreciate agencies and churches that show compassion to migrants by providing accommodation and food for them.

Author's Personal Experience and Narrative

Most importantly, the case studies and statistics presented in the book were captivating. However, at no point was I more moved than when Nazario explained her personal experiences of riding the trains. In comprehensive and heart-wrenching detail, she described the struggles she encountered while acknowledging the privileges she had as a well-off American citizen. For instance, she described experiences of extreme weather conditions, sustained injuries from rocking the train, and most importantly, one scenario in which a gang member attempted to rape her. This personal narrative offers a unique perspective on the migrant experience, bridging the gap between the reader and the migrants' harsh realities. In a nutshell, the book Enrique’s Journey by Sonia Nazario is a recount of a young Honduran boy's quest to search for his mother after eleven years of separation when she was forced to leave her starving family to find work in the United States. She braved unimaginable risks, such as exposure to extreme weather conditions and traveling in a hostile environment full of bandits, robbers, and corrupt government officials. However, she persevered by relying on her courage, wit, and the kindness and hope of some of the people she encountered. Therefore, the raw emotions and passions she displayed, together with inarguable statistics, made the presentation of her narrative evoke the reader’s emotions. This is because the way she incorporated her immigration narrative into a broader context made her work engaging and deeply personal. Therefore, the book is an instrumental piece since it narrates and depicts significant information on the experiences of migrants, making me sympathize with immigrants and prompting me to ask several questions about how I can personally intervene and assist them.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Sonia Nazario's Enrique’s Journey provides a profound exploration of the emotional and physical challenges faced by child migrants and their families. Through personal narratives, case studies, and statistics, the book paints a vivid picture of the struggles and resilience of migrants, urging readers to empathize with their plight and consider ways to offer support. The story of Enrique and his journey not only highlights the hardships of migration but also celebrates the human spirit's capacity for endurance and hope in the face of adversity. As such, this book remains an essential read for anyone seeking to understand the complex dynamics of migration and the human stories behind it.

References:

Nazario, S. (2006). Enrique’s Journey. Random House.

Nazario, S. (2014). Enrique's Journey: The Story of a Boy's Dangerous Odyssey to Reunite with His Mother. Random House Trade Paperbacks.