Early in Under the Feet of Jesus, Viramontes draws attention to the major role that symbolism will play in the novel by stating that “the silence and the barn and the clouds meant many things” (4). Why do you think this novel relies so heavily on symbolism as a literary device?

Rather than breaking up Under the Feet of Jesus into many chapters, Viramontes divides the story into five relatively long sections. What is the effect of framing the story this way (hint: you may want to think about the five-act structure many plays use)?

As the novel concludes, it’s unclear whether or not Alejo will survive. Why do you think Viramontes chose to end on this ambiguous note? Is there anything earlier in the novel that foreshadows his ultimate fate?