E.A. said, “How can you inspire yourself if you don’t surround yourself with things that inspire?” Bucchianeri. A safe and positive environment is essential for a happy life. Unfortunately, this is often not true. Of course, sometimes the exact opposite is true. Sandra Cisneros’ novel The House on Mango Street demonstrates the detrimental effects of a poor environment. The House at Mango Street depicts the life of Esperanza, an adolescent girl. It is composed of several vignettes. They describe her experiences over the course of one year while she lives in Mango Street. The book describes the hardships of being a Latina girl living in poverty, and being surrounded financially by those in her situation. We can see that Esperanza was negatively affected by her environment. This led to her having a negative view of herself and the world.
Esperanza is in her adolescence. She experiences many moments and experiences that make it easier to grow up quicker than other teenagers. Her environment and her circumstances are key factors in her need to grow quickly and mature. Her circumstances have a major impact on her thinking and maturing. Nenny, her younger sibling, is an example her unfortunate circumstance. Esperanza stated that Nenny was too young to be her friend. It’s not her fault, she’s my sister. You don’t choose your sisters. Sometimes they just come like Nenny. Or she will be just like the Vargas children. She is my responsibility because she follows me. Esperanza desires freedom and to play with her peers like every other child. Instead, she has to look after her younger sister and is never able to fully experience the joy of being a child. She loses her innocence at a young age because she is driven to mature and grow quickly. Esperanza needs to mature quickly because of her socio-economic situation. Esperanza is desperate to find a job. Her aunt helps her get a job in a printing company. But she must lie about how old she is and claim she is only one year older. She is embarrassed by her inexperience and young age. She struggles with certain social aspects of her job. She eats lunch in the kitchen and has her break in a coatroom. Esperanza’s bad experience at work is only made worse by her interactions with coworkers. Esperanza claims, “he claimed it was his birthday. Would I please give him one?” I thought I would, because he was so elderly. He grabs my face and kisses my mouth hard. Esperanza has entered a phase in her life that allows her to explore her sexuality, and find her identity. What started as a friendly, casual kiss soon becomes a violent, forced affair. Instead of slowly discovering herself, she is forced into an awful experience. Esperanza grew up in a difficult environment. This led to her developing a negative identity. Esperanza is a person who associates herself with her socioeconomic status and culture. This only leads to self-hatred and judgment. Esperanza feels ashamed about working at a job she can’t afford and refuses to work with him anymore. Esperanza, in the vignette “Bums in the Attic”, states that she doesn’t want to work with her father anymore. She also says that she is ashamed of telling them. We all stare out the windows like hungry people. I get tired of seeing all the things we don’t have. She is not proud of the support she has given her family, and instead of being inspired by hard work and culture, shame and fear drive her away. She is aware that her family’s financial situation is not fair and she believes it shows her worth. This causes her negative thoughts about herself. Esperanza’s self hating can be seen in her urge to rebel and challenge the norm. Esperanza declares that she feels the need to rebel against the standard and is not to be controlled. Simple. Sure. “I am someone who leaves the table as a man without putting down the chair or picking it up.” Esperanza knows the limitations that women face based upon what she’s seen from other women. Esperanza doesn’t have to be rebellious or different, but it is a common trait among many teens. It is a direct result of her culture as a Latina woman. Esperanza was made to dislike her own identity by her environment.
Esperanza was influenced by her experiences with people in her life to develop a pessimistic outlook on the world and people around her. She was once left alone by a friend, and was then sexually assaulted at the hands of other boys. “Sally, make them stop,” Esperanza stated in the vigente, “Red Clowns”. They wouldn’t leave. I could only cry. It’s hard to remember. The darkness was oppressive. It was dark. I don’t recall. Please don’t make me repeat it all!” Esperanza feels betrayed. She also feels her friendship is being damaged. Esperanza starts to hate Mango Street and its people. She eventually feels frustrated by her surroundings and wants to leave Mango Street. Esperanza, who was visiting Thi, stated that she could see the palm readers and knew what they were doing. They could see what was coming…. You will always remain Esperanza. Mango Street is your constant companion. It’s impossible to forget what you already know. Although Esperanza may not have left Mango Street, she is now mentally there. The palm reader detects her past and encourages her to take lessons from them. Esperanza’s personality is negative because of her pessimistic views on the world and other people.
