Richard Rodriguez
Rodriguez is the author and the main character in the book. Rodriguez was born in America but he was the son of Mexican immigrants. Until the age of six, Rodriguez knew only a few hundred words in English and thus the moment he entered school was tough for him because he did not know the language. Rodriguez attended a catholic school and his teachers encouraged his parents to talk with him in English but this only created a drift between Rodriguez and his parents. Despite his financial situation, Rodriguez went to college and then received a Fulbright scholarship and went to England where he studied and worked as a university teacher. Richard Rodriguez distinguishes himself from the begin as an intelligent man who opposes bilingual education and who despite his education remained a spiritual man, interested in religion and true to his faith.
Rodriguez's mother
Rodriguez mentions his parents on numerous times but they remain unknown in the memoir. Rodriguez talks about how his parents were supporting of him and how they pushed him to learn even more and the one who pushed him the most was his mother. Despite this and the fact that Rodriguez’s mother advocated for his education, she did suffer when he few distant from them when he went to college. She also could never understand why Rodriguez gave up his job and focused on writing. Rodriguez’s mother is described as hard working but she did have to suffer because she did not know the English language perfectly. It is hinted that her failure was the reason why she pushed Rodriguez so hard to learn English and why she was so determined to see her son an accomplished man.
Rodriguez’s father
Just like Rodriguez’s mother, the father is also proud of his son for what he had achieved. Rodriguez’s father was unable to get a college education and thus he was forced to work hard jobs all his life because of this. To save his son the same fate, he encouraged him to learn and to better himself.
Rodriguez’s siblings
Just like in his parents’ case, Rodriguez lets his siblings unnamed. Rodriguez has three siblings and while details are not given about them, it is hinted that they grew up to be successful as well.
