Under the Feet of Jesus by Helena María Viramontes
"Under the Feet of Jesus" by Helena María Viramontes is a poignant narrative that explores the lives of Chicano migrant farmworkers in the United States, particularly focusing on the experiences of a family that struggles against economic hardship and challenging living conditions. The story centers around Perfecto Flores, an older man, and Petra, a younger woman, who travel with Petra's children, including the thirteen-year-old Estrella, who serves as a key voice in the narrative. The family's daily existence is marked by their search for work in the fields, emphasizing the difficulties they face, such as low wages and the threat of pesticide exposure.
The story is enriched by the introduction of Alejo, a young migrant worker whose relationship with Estrella deepens as he becomes ill from pesticide exposure. Viramontes intricately weaves themes of love, responsibility, and survival into the family's struggles, highlighting the stark realities faced by those in the agricultural labor force. The narrative also touches on the complexities of healthcare access and the desperation that can arise from financial limitations. Ultimately, "Under the Feet of Jesus" portrays the resilience of migrant families and the interconnections between love, sacrifice, and the harsh realities of farm labor, inviting readers to reflect on the broader societal issues surrounding immigration and labor rights.
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Subject Terms
Under the Feet of Jesus by Helena María Viramontes
First published: 1995
The Work
Under the Feet of Jesus traces the day-to-day lives of a group of Chicano migrant farmworkers, revealing the struggles they must endure as they attempt to survive on low wages and in poor living conditions. Helena María Viramontes is connected to this group of people in that her parents were migrant workers, and the book is dedicated to them and to the memory of César Chávez, a man who fought for the rights of farmworkers.
The narrative focuses on a large family headed by Perfecto Flores, a man in his seventies, and Petra, a woman who is thirty-seven years younger. Perfecto and Petra travel together with Petra’s children, finding field work wherever they can. Estrella is Petra’s eldest daughter; she is thirteen, and her voice controls much of the narrative. There are two brothers, Ricky and Arnulfo, and twin girls, Perla and Cookie. Estrella works in the fields, as do her brothers and Perfecto.
The story becomes complicated by a young man named Alejo. Alejo and his cousin Gumecindo are also migratory workers employed by the same farms as Estrella and her family. The boys earn extra money by stealing fruit from the orchards at night. One night when they are raiding the orchard, biplanes fly overhead, spraying pesticides. Although Alejo and Gumecindo attempt to run from the orchards to avoid the poisoning pesticides, Alejo is sprayed and eventually becomes very sick. Since Alejo has become friends with Estrella and her family, Petra feels obliged to care for him. She tries all her healing methods, but nothing seems to work. Alejo gets sicker each day. As he grows weaker, love between Alejo and Estrella grows.
Finally Estrella and her family have no choice but to take Alejo to the clinic. The nurse diagnoses Alejo with dysentery, tells Estrella that he must go to the hospital, and charges them ten dollars for the clinic visit. Unfortunately Perfecto only has eight dollars and some change, and their gas tank is empty. He attempts to barter with the nurse, telling her he can do chores for the clinic, but she insists that she cannot give him work. Perfecto reluctantly hands over their last nine dollars, and they leave the clinic, wondering what they are going to do. Finally Estrella goes to the car, takes out the tire iron, and walks back into the clinic. She smashes the tire iron against the nurse’s desk and demands the nine dollars back. With the last of their money Perfecto fills the gas tank, and they drive to the hospital. Estrella takes Alejo into the emergency room and is forced to leave him there, knowing they cannot pay the bill but that the doctors will help him.
Bibliography
Sobek, María, and Helena María Viramontes, eds. Chicana Creativity and Criticism: Charting New Frontiers in American Literature. Houston, Tex.: Arte Público Press, 1988.