When Julia informs her family of her desire to become a writer, she is met with disbelief and told repeatedly, "just make sure you work in a nice office" (p. 243) and “don't work like a donkey like me” (p. 121). For Julia's undocu- mented and poorly educated family, getting an office job is considered a mark of success. However, to Julia, this belief is a product of a culture of low expectations. Why would working in an office with air-conditioning be considered a sign of success in Julia's family? Why are they so quick to try to crush her dreams of being a writer?
