Danny: THoMS

                I think this book focuses heavily on the treatment of Hispanics in our society. Esperanza is very observant, often dedicating entire chapters to the description of the minorities and subtly alluring to their mistreatment within America.

                When talking about Cathy and her cats, she tells us “In the meantime they’ll just have to move a little farther north from Mango Street, a little farther away every time people like us keep moving in” (13). Cathy clearly is discriminatory towards the Hispanic minority, moving away solely because of Esperanza’s family.

                Then, when talking about Louie’s cousins, he mentions the one with the yellow Cadillac. Esperanza tells us, “The seventh time we drove into the alley we heard sirens… They put handcuffs on him and put him in the backseat of the cop car, and we all waved as they drove away” (24-25). Louie’s cousin is arrested. We are never told if the car is stolen or if it was his, but it is still clear that this can be seen as mistreatment. They live in fear of the police, scared that one day they might be taken away by the law.

                When describing strangers that come into the neighborhood, she says, “Those who don’t know any better come into our neighborhood scared. They think we’re dangerous. They think we will attack them with shiny knives. They are stupid people who are lost and got here by mistake” (28). She is aware of how other’s think of her and her people and is clearly upset with it, calling them ‘stupid’ and ‘lost.’

                At one point, Esperanza attempts to start eating lunch at school, to which Sister Superior responds no. Esperanza recounts this saying, “Then she was sorry and said I could stay—just for today, not tomorrow or the day after—you go home” (45). The headmaster tells her that she can’t eat at the school, solely because she lives so close to the school. She tells her she can stay for today only because she cries.

                In the chapter titled “Geraldo No Last Name,” Esperanza says, “Just another brazer who didn’t speak English. Just another wetback. You know the kind. The ones who always look ashamed” (66). Geraldo is killed and has no family, and Esperanza recalls all these facts that are stated or possibly thought about. These comments are discriminatory and simply cruel.

                Though this series of anecdotes tells many different stories and holds great themes, I think it is clear that Esperanza sees the discrimination and cruelty that her people go through. Perhaps that contributes to her desire to break away from her culture? Might she wish to escape the racism and vicious treatment of her people?