Everyone has different opinions on growing up. Some people see it as a joyous journey of becoming a responsible, independent adult. Others view it differently. Although growing up means becoming mature, not everyone looks forward to the countless burdens of being a grown-up. One of these people is Sandra Cisneros, the author of The House on Mango Street. The main character of her book is Esperanza, a young girl who must grow up fast not only to stay safe in the shady neighborhood her family resides in, but to hold her family together through tough times as well. Through her story, Sandra Cisneros expresses to the reader that growing up is difficult to accept, but necessary to survive. Some examples of a situation the main character of the story is put in that shows that becoming mature is a survival skill is in chapter 17, “The Family of Little Feet”. A quote from the chapter that shows this is “...one pair of dancing shoes that used the be white but were now pale blue”(40).
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After her father tells her that her grandfather has passed away, Esperanza says, “Because I am the oldest, my father has told me first and now it is my time to tell the others” (56). This is a clear example from the text of one of the responsibilities she must take on as the eldest child. The death of a family member is something that has to be taken seriously and can cut out a big portion of someone’s childhood. She also says, “...if my own Papa died what would I do. I hold Papa in my arms. I hold and hold and hold him” (57). Through the death of her grandfather, she receives a grim reminder that her father will also leave her one day. The word “hold” is repeated multiple times for emphasis, signifying that she is extremely scared of losing him as well and “holds” on to him tight. Esperanza’s feelings support the author’s message that growing up is something that must be
After her father tells her that her grandfather has passed away, Esperanza says, “Because I am the oldest, my father has told me first and now it is my time to tell the others” (56). This is a clear example from the text of one of the responsibilities she must take on as the eldest child. The death of a family member is something that has to be taken seriously and can cut out a big portion of someone’s childhood. She also says, “...if my own Papa died what would I do. I hold Papa in my arms. I hold and hold and hold him” (57). Through the death of her grandfather, she receives a grim reminder that her father will also leave her one day. The word “hold” is repeated multiple times for emphasis, signifying that she is extremely scared of losing him as well and “holds” on to him tight. Esperanza’s feelings support the author’s message that growing up is something that must be