This novel is titled Under the Feet of Jesus. This comes from a quotation in chapter 2. Petra is telling Estrella that she shouldn't take all the junk that people give her for being an illegal worker, because she's the one putting food on their table. Petra tells her that if they ask about birth certificates, Estrella should "...tell them the birth certificates are under the feel of Jesus, just tell them." This encompasses one of the main themes of the novel, equality among everyone. The author is stressing that all individuals are born equal in the eyes of Jesus. The book has very heavy religious overtones. The title stresses the views of the main character's mother, Petra. Petra drills the idea of equality into Estrella's head from the time that she is born. In turn, Petra's ideas and opinions become synonymous with Estrella's. I think it is a very fitting title for the book. However, if I were to give it an alternative title, I would probably choose A Summer to Discover. It is during this time in her life that she discovers all she wants to be. Through these experiences and times, Estrella ends up becoming herself.
(Prompt #18, Chapter #5)
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