Under the Feet of Jesus Character Analysis

Estrella

The novel’s protagonist, a thirteen-year-old girl and the oldest daughter in a family of Latino migrant workers. Stonily suspicious of outsiders, she’s gentle and nurturing towards those she considers family. Although she’s only on the… read analysis of Estrella

Petra

Estrella’s mother and one of the novel’s key protagonists. Although she’s only thirty-five, Petra is prematurely aged from years of harsh fieldwork. Already the mother of five children, over the course of the novel… read analysis of Petra

Perfecto Flores

Petra’s current partner, a repairman and field worker several decades her senior. Mild-mannered and practical, Perfecto is slow to anger and quick to perform small kindnesses: he clears the bungalow of dead birds before… read analysis of Perfecto Flores

Alejo

Estrella’s love interest, a teenager from Texas working in the fields for the summer. Alejo first catches sight of Estrella while illicitly picking peaches from the orchards and becomes entranced by her and her… read analysis of Alejo

Estrella’s Real Father

The unnamed man who was once Petra’s husband and the head of Estrella’s family. Both Petra and Estrella remember him as a glamorous, almost mythical figure: Estrella reminisces on his impressive ability to… read analysis of Estrella’s Real Father

Perla

Estrella’s younger sister and Cookie’s twin. The twins are often too curious for their own good; they have to be stopped from eating bugs and are quick to venture into dangerous places, like… read analysis of Perla

Cookie

Estrella’s younger sister and Perla’s twin. The twins are often too curious for their own good; they have to be stopped from eating bugs and they are quick to venture into dangerous places… read analysis of Cookie

Gumecindo

Alejo’s cousin, with whom he has traveled from Texas to work in the fields. While Alejo is decisive and spontaneous – electing to clandestinely harvest peaches and pursuing Estrella determinedly – Gumecindo nervously follows… read analysis of Gumecindo

Maxine Devridge

Estrella’s most memorable childhood friend. Maxine comes from a family of white migrant laborers known for rough behavior and even criminality – she owns a trove of comic books that her brothers have stolen… read analysis of Maxine Devridge

The Nurse

An apathetic worker at the medical clinic where Estrella and her family take Alejo. Speaking condescendingly to him and patronizing Petra and Perfecto, who don’t speak English, the nurse is able to give… read analysis of The Nurse

Minor Characters

Ricky

One of Estrella’s younger brothers. Close in age to Arnulfo, he’s too young to work in the fields, but rather than attending school, he has to sit aimlessly on the sidelines while his mother and sister labor.

Arnulfo

One of Estrella’s younger brothers. Close in age to Ricky, he’s too young to work in the fields, but rather than attending school, he has to sit aimlessly on the sidelines while his mother and sister labor.

The Boy

A mysterious young boy with a harelip who appears sometimes to Estrella and Alejo. It’s unclear if the boy is an actual wandering child or a kind of hallucination, but his character seems to represent the plight of all migrant laborers.