The novel Under the Feet of Jesus by Helena Viramontes was published in 1995. The book depicts Estrella and her family moving to America for opportunities to survive. . The author successfully uses imagery, diction, and symbolism to highlight the horrible conditions these immigrants had to experience. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay The author uses images to illustrate a heinous setting in which Estrella and her family lived. They live temporarily in an abandoned bungalow next to an empty barn. Because it is abandoned, the bungalow is dirty and not maintained for many years. “The stench of despair broke through the hazy sunlight, and he banged his fist against the window to loosen the swollen glass and get some fresh air. » Perfecto found cobwebs and a dead bird. No necessary furniture is required for comfortable living. The imagery develops further as Viramontes describes the terrible working conditions of the immigrant workers. A lovely fluffy bonnet on boxes of raisins contrasts nicely with Estrella sweating under "a white sun so powerful that it roasted the green grapes into black grapes." The author used many descriptive words to describe the not-so-pleasant work process of making raisins. The workers had to repeatedly bend their backs to delicately pour a basket of grapes onto a sheet of newspaper “row by row, sun by sun”. These terrible living and working conditions directly lead to Estrella being more neglected than a normal young child. “That the wet towel she wiped across her tough face every morning, the vigorous brushing and the tight braids carefully woven by her mother were not enough. » For a family that struggles every day to get food, hygiene and aesthetics are not their main concerns. Viramontes uses symbolism effectively to highlight the harsh lives of migrant workers. Alejo compares the animal bones in the tar pit to human bones. He said to Estrella: “Once, while I was picking peaches, I heard screams. It reminded me of the animals stuck in the tar pits. Estrella later, after realizing her family's plight, compares her family to a "tar pit made of bones." The tar pits represent the insignificant role that migrant workers play in society. Their works are largely unknown and unknown. The animals fall into the pit to produce oil. Migrant workers sacrifice their health and blood to produce fruits and vegetables. Both are forever erased and forgotten. This symbolism is very powerful because migrant workers are treated like animals in the United States. They have no voice and hide as soon as they see border agents. Perfecto's toolkit represents inappropriate education provided to migrant children. Not all of the tools in the chest are explained to Estrella despite her desperate need to know. “The toolbox stood guard by the door and she slammed the lid on the secret. For days, she remained silent with rage. Thirteen-year-old Estrella and her siblings did not have the chance to go to school and had to work. Readers of Under the Feet of Jesus understand the pain of migrant workers through Viramontes' impressive diction. Certain words or expressions convey not only the physical aspect of the description but.