1.give me a Vignett that shows when esperanza's sense of her identity changed
2.reference to details in first job
3. Related details from other section of the book
3. Particular literary techniques cisneros uses to illustrate her meaning and intention
Identity Changes; (Remember, the most important piece of Esperanza's identity is wrapped up in her aspirations of becoming a writer.)
My Name
"In English my name means hope. In Spanish it means too many letters. It means sadness, it means waiting. It is like the number nine. A muddy color. It is the Mexican records my father plays on Sunday mornings when he is shaving, songs like sobbing. I would like to baptize myself under a new name, a name more like the real me, the one nobody sees. Esperanza as Lisandra or Maritza or Zeze the X. Yes. Something like Zeze the X will do." Chapter 4
Born Bad- Esperanza's poetry and stories keep her free from the things around her. As she gains her identity as a writer~ she protects herself from the things around her.
"I want to be
like the waves on the sea,
like the clouds in the wind,
but I'm me.One day I'll jump
Out of my skin.
I'll shake the sky
like a hundred violins." Chapter 23
Beautiful and Cruel- Esperanza knows that she WILL NOT conform to what everyone believes she'll become.
"My mother says when I get older my dusty hair will settle and my blouse will learn to stay clean, but I have decided not to grow up tame like the others who lay their necks on the threshold waiting for the ball and chain." Chapter 35
Mango Says Goodbye Sometimes- Esperanza's identity as a writer has reached its fruition.
"I put it down on paper and then the ghost does not ache so much."
"One day I will pack my bags of books and paper. One day I will say goodbye to Mango. I am too strong for her to keep me here forever." Chapter 44
The House on Mango Street
Esperanza takes her first job at Peter Pan Photo Finishers. She has to lie about her age in order to get hired, so she wears a more mature style of clothing, borrows money to get on the bus, and she is hire the same day. Uncomfortable around the other employees, she's a bit lonely and lost as to what's expected of her. The work is easy; the social aspects of the job are a little more challenging. When an older employee shows kindness and offers to become her friend, Esperanza jumps at the chance. Unfortunately, his "nice eyes" hide a wolf in sheep's clothing and he makes advances toward her after asking for a "birthday" kiss.
Another employee, an "older Oriental man," offers to be Esperanza's friend and tells her she can sit with him at lunch next time (21.7). He has nice eyes, and Esperanza feels less nervous.
The older man tells Esperanza it's his birthday, and asks her for a birthday kiss. As she leans in to give him a kiss on the cheek, he grabs her face with both hands and kisses her hard on the mouth.
The House on Mango Street
http://www.shmoop.com/house-on-mango-street/chapter-21-summary.html
