Important Characters

Important Characters



Santiago:  Had to leave village after massacre at Dos Vias to sail to America.  He is 12 and doing a mission impossible.  He is smart, brave, caring, clever, elusive, selfless, outgoing, creative, and strong willed.  Although he can be hard on himself, he's really smart and brave.  Santiago also often changed between optimism and pessimism.   



Angelina:  4.  Doesn't understand what's going on, but is curious to know.  Obedient to Santiago.  Has a doll named Maria.  Frightened and wants to go home.  Can be cranky but also brave.  She loves to play games (esp. the game of living) and can be helpful and mature.  Became sick during the voyage.  She thinks there are pigs in the maiz truck and pretended they ate the tortillas in the cayuco.  Angelina is Santiago's motive to survive and make it to America. 



Uncle Ramos:  Told Santiago and Angelina to escape Guatemala.  He was joyful, thoughtful, and was a great teacher.  He's also an excellent sailor.  His house is by Lake Izabel.  He is the person who made the cayuco and gave Santiago the map, machete, and compass. 



Enrique:  Very helpful to the Cruzs.  He didn't have much money.  His wife is Silvia.  He gave Santiago and Angelina food for the trip.  He also went with them until the Gulf of Honduras.  His wife has malaria. 



Juana:  She's a nurse at the hospital in Florida.  She cares about the Cruzs and tries to communicate with them.  She got a new doll for Angelina. 



Major Conflicts



Storms:  The cayuco could have tipped over.  They could have lost equipment.  They could have drowned.  The cayuco could have also been destroyed!  The storm made the mast swing over and bash Santiago across the head.  The cayuco could also sink as water fills inside. 

Pirates and Soldiers:  Pirates wanted to take their money and the soldiers wanted to kill the Cruzs just because they are indigenos.

Lack of Supplies:  They have to be creative and wait for rain just to get enough supplies to stay alive.   They also had to find ways to get food.  Santiago had to be creative to create equipment such as the fishing hook made out of a nail.  They also had to ration out the food.

Problems with Cayuco:  Santiago had to learn how to use it, and how to survive in it.  He also had to learn how to deal with destruction to the cayuco. 

Finding their way to the ocean:  Guerillas kill the villagers in Dos Vias and the two Cruzs escape.  Had to hike, go by horse, and stow away in 2 trucks just to get to the cayuco.


Important Lessons

Always be aware of your surroundings because they can help you!

"Don't count your chickens before they hatch." 


Even though you're small, you can do great things.  Nothing's impossible.

Stay positive! 

Be creative and use your resources.

In the world there are good and bad people.

Good things come to those who wait.

Look at the right side of the stick. 


Point of Story


People should never give up!

Trust your instincts; if you stay alert, you stay alive!

Anything is possible!

War can greatly affect our lives.

America might be a land of opportunity,

People are stuck in horrible situations and we should value what we have. 

You're never to old (or young) to have a dream and for it to come true.