Lupe is Victor Villaseñor’s mother and the protagonist for much of the narrative. Beautiful and passionate no matter her age, Lupe is one of the most steadfast characters. When the story opens, Lupe is a little girl growing up during the Mexican Revolution. She has long, dark, curly hair and a “gentle voice” (16). She proves to be a dedicated little helper in labor as well as in love. Lupe helps constantly around the house and with the family business. She also happens to fall madly in love with a handsome visiting colonel. Her pure and all-consuming love for him proves how deeply Lupe experiences the world and how much love she will eventually give a suitor when she’s older. Growing up, Lupe retains her passion but mostly channels it into her love for education, such as when she reads with her friend, Manuelita, or when she visits the library religiously. Her love for education is matched only by her talent for it; as her teacher Señora Muñoz once said, Lupe is quite smart and gifted. She also continues to work hard, always helping her family in the fields and at home.