118 pages • 3 hours read
Matt de la PeñaWe Were Here
Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2009A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Pages 54-64Chapter Summaries & Analyses
Pages 54-57 Summary: “July 6”
Miguel notes that he and his roommate, Rondell, are polar opposites. For example, Rondell is largely illiterate and “a damn Bible thumper” (54), while Miguel spends all his time reading good quality literature. Rondell notes that it is “part of God’s plan” (55) that both of them have been detained in the group home.
Miguel is annoyed by many of Rondell’s mannerisms; specifically, his habit of saying “What” each time Miguel speaks, as well as his persistence in addressing Miguel as “Mexico.” Rondell continues to respond that all truth is contained within the Bible, and offers to share his Bible with Miguel at any time.
Miguel is overcome with pity for the other boy, and wonders if people have always taken advantage of his gullibility. He thanks Rondell for his offer to share the Bible and notes that Rondell isn’t “as bad as some other people [he’s] known” (57).
Pages 57-59 Summary: “July 8”
Mong, possessed of his normal eerie smile, approaches Rondell and Miguel in the backyard and questions Miguel as to his motivation for reading so many books. Miguel surprises himself by responding immediately with Rondell’s response to any opening conversation, which is, “What?” After recovering his composure, he responds that he reads books “[t]o see what happens” (58), although subsequently he wonders whether he should have responded to the question at all.
Pages 59-63 Summary: “July 9”
Miguel awakens to the sight of Mong standing over his bed again, and is initially convinced that he is about to be assaulted. The item in Mong’s hand is not a knife, but a letter from the chief group home administrator advising that the lengths of all group home residents will be extended to full term. The additional funding awarded to the program will enable additional “one-on-one therapy sessions and educational and career counseling” (60).
Mong advises Miguel that he is absconding from the group home in one week and, because he trusts Miguel, wants to invite him to come. While Miguel initially declines, he is tempted by the idea presented of finding work in Mexico, “where nobody will know us” (61).
Although Rondell pretends to sleep through this encounter, he asks to be included if Miguel decides to run away with Mong. Upon reflection, Miguel suspects that perhaps his mother’s life would be improved if he were to disappear. He remembers seeing tears roll down her cheeks following his sentencing, and recalls sleeping under his bed “every night until it was time for Mom to take me to Juvi” (63). He wrestles with the concept that perhaps he is morally obligated to “pay” for his yet-to-be-named crime, yet he is tempted by the opportunity to start over in an unknown place.
Pages 54-64 Analysis
Miguel’s character is portrayed as increasingly nuanced as the story progresses, and he takes better stock of his fellow group home residents. Specifically, he is less reactive toward his roommate, Rondell, despite their many obvious disparities. For example, Miguel’s innate cynicism initially leads him to disdain Rondell’s reliance upon literal interpretation of the Bible for emotional and spiritual sustenance; however, eventually, Miguel comes to be more tolerant of whatever affords comfort to his less literate roommate. Despite Miguel having committed a crime that he considers heinous enough to avoid description, he comes to show a compassionate side when considering Rondell and recalling his mother’s tears following Miguel’s court appearance.
Miguel’s re-assessment of his companions include a new analysis of Mong, whom he previously considered to be a violent assailant. Mong is also described in a new light. He seeks to understand Miguel’s behavior. Specifically, he questions Miguel as to why he reads so many books and comes to behave in a more rational and analytical manner. When he invites Miguel to abscond to Mexico with him, Miguel is conflicted about his need to serve his time in the group home in order to make amends for his offense, as opposed to the temptation of accompanying Mong to Mexico, in order to make a fresh start.
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By Matt de la Peña
