Chava Character Analysis

An important warrior in the Sangra gang, who’s targeted by the Lomas one night when they burn down his house. Though Chava survives this murder attempt, he’s later stabbed by rival gang members, leaving him alive but permanently debilitated. Chava appears toward the memoir’s conclusion when, in an emotional encounter, Luis crosses paths with Chava twenty years after he leaves the gang world. Luis is shocked to see that Chava has become a weak, pathetic, middle-aged man, still consumed with self-hatred and hatred of others. In this way, Chava seems to represent the best-case scenario for La Vida Loca—a scenario which is still utterly miserable. In the end, cholos either die young, go to prison, or they grow into bitter old men.