Vida y Muerte en la Mara Salvatrucha

The narrators expectations of the gang life

A new family that would protect him, They would come to visit him in jail, He would get money

El narrador

Born in LA, Family from El Salvador, Mom died, dad left, brother died, girlfriend died, gang betrayed him, Tells story of his life with the gangs starting @ age 8

Pedro

Brother of the narrator, Saw his mom die at age 6, Shot by a member of the calle 18

Initiation into the gang

Ceremonial 13 seconds of being hit and kicked

How does Analia die?

Follows the narrator and gustavo to the gang fight and is shot by one of the calle 18 members

The narrator avenges his brothers death

Gustavo tells him the news about pedro and tells him that they have to go and kill the calle 18 member that killed his brother

What happens after his arrest and trial

He is put in maximum security Feels guilty for everyone hes hurt in his life Hears rumors about his friends on the outside

Why does the narrator end up in jail?

He shot the gang member that killed analia and was left at the crime scene alone

Su papá

Left his sons at home with his friend Gustavo, Supposedly he went to take revenge of his wife's death but was arrested and deported but the narrator isn't sure

Los pandilleros de MS-13

Mara Salvatrucha, Original purpose was for young boys to come together to defend themselves against other gangs (calle 18), Started in LA--expanded to other US territories, Distinguish themselves with body tattoos and sign language, Merciless revenge and cruel retributions

Significance of face tattoos and their dangers

Name of gang/ clique Name of a lost companion/ fam member Dangerous bc it was obvious that they were gang members therefore hard to get away with crimes

Gustavo

Narrator's dad's best friend, The narrator and Pedro moved in with him after their parents died, Helps the brothers with their first mission, Left him with Analia dead in the streets

Narrator's first mission

Only 9 years old, Becomes a "man" by killing a member of the calle 18

The narrators reality of gang life

Only protected themselves They didn't visit him in jail, All of the money earned by the gang goes to the leaders

Analia

Sells fruit outside of the market, catches the attention of the narrator when defending her grandma, A pure person, no bad intentions, Never wanted him to be anything but himself, Shot by gang member because she followed him and Gustavo on their way to revenge Pedro's death

La abuela de Analia

Sells fruit outside the market, Narrator writes her a letter asking for forgiveness- forgives him

How does Analia's grandmother respond the the narrator's apology letter(s)

She doesn't respond to the first several letters but eventually replies and forgives him because she sees how remorseful he is

Su mamá

Shot by member of the calle 18 in front of her son pedro, Moved to LA with her husband and sons from el Salvador at age 18, Wanted to create, expand, and establish a new life away from the war

Los pandilleros de Calle 18

The main gang of the family's neighborhood, Immigrants from mexico (hate Salvadorians) A threat to the territory, Wanted to control the streets of LA Influenced the start of the MS13, Kills his mom, Pedro, and Analia

Conversation with Analia about gang life

They go on a date at the beach, Narrator tells Analia about the gang, Analia cries and begs him to quit, He decides to quit