Analyses of chino

Below is an English Writing assignment which I believe is one of my best works that I have done this year.In this essay I analyze the character Julio (Chino) of the book Bodega Dreams by Ernesto Quinonez:

The subject of my essay is based on the characters of "Bodega Dream" by Ernesto Quinonez. The first character is Chino's wife Blanca and the second character is Chino's best friend Sapo. Sapo is Chino's childhood friend and they used to go to school together. Chino looked up to Sapo when he was younger even though he knew that Sapo was always up to no good. Blanca is Chino's childhood sweet heart. When she was younger, Blanca was the girl that every guy wanted because she was smart, beautiful, and religouse.
In Bodega Dreams, Blanca represents the positive influences of Chinos life and the lifestyle of the hood. Blanca reminds Chino what he is suppose to do and what he isn't suppose to do.
"You know he is bad news. Always has been. I dont want you around, Enrique" (pg 14). This quote is significant to Blanca's personality because we can understand that she is just looking out for Chino, almost like a mother would with her child. And like a child Chino feels like he has to hide certain things with Blanca so that she wont get upset with him.
Sapo represents the bad side of Chino and the bad influences of the hood. Sapo leads Chino down the wrong path without him knowing. In Sapo's eyes he feels like he is looking out for his childhood friend by always having his back and in some ways protecting him from other people who might try and give him trouble.
"Yo Chino, man whass up? You know you my pana right? And like you know yo'r the only guy I can trust right, I mean we go way back...yo mira I have this package.. can I leave it her wi'choo, Chino?" (pg14)
This quote supports Sapo's character becauseit shows how badly he influences Chino as opposed to the posotive influence of Blanca. Its almost as if bopth Sapo and Blanca are the main functions of Chino's decision. Chino can choose to go home to Blanca and study for school or he can go smoke a blunt with Sapo and go meet a big time kingpin, and throughout the book decisions like these question Chino's morailty.
In Bodega Dreams Chino experiences the lifestyle of two very different people. His choices affect either person for the bad or for the better. Whether he chooses to be influenced by Blanca or Sapo, consequences seem to be inevitable. I can relate to the character Chino because like him I understand the negative and the posotive that sorround people. I also understand that it's sometimes more tempting to choose the more negatrive, risky influence.