house on mango street quotes about growing up

Despite it's ugly appearance, the music box surprises Esperanza with its 'funny little plucked sound.' This experience teaches her not to judge anything or anyone by their appearance. However, moments afterward, her dreams are fulfilled in another way. When she sees Nenny being herself- carefree, optimistic, and indifferent to anyone's opinions- she jealously dismisses Nenny as being foolish and stupid.Īt the words 'music box,' Esperanza cannot hide her excitement, and looks with expectations to see a 'pretty box with flowers painted on it, with a ballerina inside,'(pg20), and is disappointed when her wishes are replaced with an ordinary brass music box. To prove her maturity, she tries not to admit her true emotions and pretends that she is uninterested in the music box. Significance: Esperanza is growing conflicted and confused at herself as she transitions from a child to an adult. Nenny does not try to conceal her emotions and openly asks the owner how much the item costs, but the item is not for sale. She is prideful and tries to hide her excitement when they see the music box. Situation: Esperanza and Nenny visit a junk store owned by an old man named Gil. Or like marimbas only with a funny little plucked sound to it like if you were running your fingers across the teeth of a metal comb.'(pg 20) It's like all of a sudden he let go a million moths all over the dusty furniture and swan-neck shadows and in our bones. Then he starts it up and all sorts of things start happening. Only there's nothing like that where this old man is pointing, just a wood box that's old and got a big brass record in it with holes. Quote: 'This, this is a music box, and I turn around quick thinking he means a pretty box with flowers painted on it, with a ballerina inside.

All of them seem to be trapped in their society where they are alone, abused, and afraid.

She is powerless like every woman we know of in 'The House on Mango Street'. 'The moon that watched,' means that no one could help her, she was alone and 'The red clowns laughing their thick-tongue laugh' shows how frightened she was.Ĭonnection: Just like Sally, Esperanza now feels the meaning of being a woman. The red clowns laughing their thick-tongue laugh.' Cisneros uses personification to show the helplessness Esperanza felt as she was sexually harassed. Stylistic Devices: 'Only his dirty fingernails against my skin, only his sour smell again. She only blames what she knows because blaming her attackers would require a well of strength she has not yet developed. Esperanza has matured a great deal over the course of a year, but this violent experience makes her feel helpless, alone, and afraid. Esperanza’s lack of anger towards the attackers suggests that in Esperanza’s world, any man or boy could have been guilty, but women are the ones responsible for keeping each other safe. Sally has proven to be an unreliable friend because she always chooses boys’ attention over Esperanza’s friendship, and Esperanza now pays the price for her loyalty. All the books and magazines, everything that told it wrong.' She is enraged by Sally for not being there and not telling her what 'it' is really like, and at society for saying that 'it' is connected with love and romance. Significance: When a group of anonymous boys assaults Esperanza, she directs her anger toward women and society instead of toward the specific boys responsible. She is traumatized and keeps hearing the voice of one of the boys saying, “I love you, Spanish girl.” She blames Sally for leaving her and not being there to save her saying 'Sally, you lied, you lied.' While Esperanza waits for Sally to return, a group of boys attacks Esperanza. Sally is careless and free, and at one point she disappears with an older boy. Esperanza goes to a carnival with Sally and that she watches Sally on the rides. Even though she gives her impressions and expresses her confusion, she never specifies exactly what the boys do to her. Situation: Esperanza talks to us after she has been sexually assaulted by a group of boys.

The red clowns laughing their thick-tongue laugh.' (100) Only his dirty fingernails against my skin, only his sour smell again. All the books and magazines, everything that told it wrong. Quote: 'Why did you leave me all alone? I waited my whole life. 'The House on Mango Street': 'Red Clowns'

House on mango street quotes about growing up