How does the opening sentence connect to concepts of endurance or survival in the women's stories?

The novel begins with this sentence: "Jeanette, tell me that you want to live." How does this intimate direct address from mother to daughter set the tone for some of the themes that we encounter in the following pages? Do you think it connects to concepts of endurance or survival in the other women's stories?

"Tell me that you want to live"...this sentence does a great job of setting up the novel. It is part of "We are Force". We are Force; therefore we shall live! Out of all the women, I especially feel that this statement summarizes Dolores's story. Had she not killed her husband, she would've ended up dead. She WANTED to live!

Carmen and the other women of her family for generations have been strong against insurmountable odds. Jeanette is not - this is evidenced by her sinking into drug abuse time and time again. The first sentence is a plea for Jeanette's strength and does indeed set up the rest of the book about strong women.

The book follows Jeannete's addiction and the story of her family. It is one story of many concerning her family, but her journey is key to the book. That first sentence sets the tone for what's to come.

Even though I believe that the women in this book were not fleshed out very well or really show their potential, they all are trying to survive and endure what life has handed them. They are trying to make better lives for themselves and their children. It is obvious that Jeanette is a failure among them. She has given herself over to addition and just moves through time, generally not making good decisions, barely surviving, and running from life. The sentence "Jeanette, tell me that you want to live." is a cry for help from her mother, who Jeanette has also made suffer through her addition.