Before they reached me, Little Man exclaimed, "O, I'm gonna tell Mama! Carrying that ole dumb Lillian Jean's books!" "Cassie, whatja do that for?" questioned Christopher-John, his round face pained. "Ah, shoot," laughed T. J. "Ole Cassie jus' learned she better do what's good for her if she don't want no more of Mr. Simm's back hand." —Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, Mildred D. Taylor Esperanza looked down at Silvia's dirty hands. Silvia grinned up at her and Esperanza's first thought was to pull her hand away and wash it as soon as possible. Then she remembered Mama's kindness to the peasant girl on the train – and her disappointment in Esperanza. She didn't want Silvia to start crying if she were to pull away. She looked around at the dusty camp and thought that it must be hard to stay clean in such a place. —Esperanza Rising, Pam Muñoz Ryan How do the historical and cultural settings of these two stories affect the characters? Both T. J. and Esperanza are unkind to others because they do not understand other characters’ cultural backgrounds. Both Esperanza and Cassie are facing challenges because of their environment. Both Lillian Jean and Silvia are facing challenges because of their environment.