The Earl of Tennessee to Sally

The Earl of Tennessee

“The Earl of Tennessee” is about Esperanza's neighbor Earl who she is questioned about. He is secretive with his blinds down during the day and only working at night. The only time the kids see him is when he goes and comes home from work. Or, he always comes outside to tell them to be quiet when they are sitting on the steps outside his apartment. He is from the south and a jukebox repair man. People who live on Mango Street that Earl has a wife who lives somewhere else. But, the kids and Esperanza’s mom all describe the women differently. I think that Earl is bringing prostitutes in his apartment because they come and go, they all look different, and they always walk quickly inside, lock the door and never stay long. I think this is interesting because sometimes you don’t know anything about the people you live around but eventually over time you and other people will start to assume things about that person.

Sire

“Sire” is about a boy who stares at Esperanza every time she passes his house. He makes her feel weird inside but, a good weird because he is always looking at her and she notices it. It shows that Esperanza likes to be noticed by boys and she isn't use to it. But, Sire has a girlfriend nmes Lois and Esperanza takes a good look at her and admires her feminine looks. Esperanza’s dad calls him a punk, and her mom wants her not to talk to him. At the end of the vignette Esperanza states that she wants to sit and be with boys and know what it is like to be held and kissed. This shows the coming of age because she is realizing that she is in a point in her life where she wants to associate herself with boys.

Four Skinny Trees

Esperanza is thinking about the four skinny trees that are outside her and Nenny’s bedroom. She feels a connection with these trees and that they understand her. The trees represent Esperanza because there skinny with pointed elbows and don’t have a lot of strength but they are here when they don’t belong here. Whenever Esperanza feels down on herself she looks at the four trees and it makes her feel important and that she’s here for a reason.

No Speak English

There is a man across the street who works very hard day and night to save money for his wife and child to come to the United States. Mamacita and a child arrive in a taxi. Esperanza describes her all dressed in pink and is huge and beautiful. Mamacita doesn't come down from the third floor apartment and she only knows three phrases in English “he not here”, “no speak english”, and “holy smokes”. Mamacita stays home all day listening and singing to Spanish songs. She is very homesick and misses her pink house. Mamacita doesn't want to forget where she came from and she is not comfortable in the United States. She is unhappy with where she is and she shows that with not trying to do new things and not trying to learn english. I like this vignette because it shows how some people are so adapted to where they came from and  if they move they can’t stop thinking of home.

Rafaela Who Drinks Coconut & Papaya Juice on Tuesdays

This vignette talks about Rafaela’s husband who locks her indoors when he goes out because she is so beautiful. She is getting old but is still so young from sitting outside the window too long. Rafaela asks Esperanza and her friends to go buy her some coconut or papaya juice and she throws them a dollar from her balcony. This gave me a sad and trapped feeling inside because she is looking outside her window all day watching life happen but she can’t do that.

Sally

Sally is a girl in Esperanza’s school who is very pretty. Sally is not aloud to go out because her father is very strict. She wears makeup and black clothes, Esperanza wants to be like her. Boys say stories about Sally and Esperanza overhears them talking but she does not believe them. After school she goes straight home pulling down her skirt and taking her makeup off. At the end of the vignette Esperanza wonders if Sally wishes she didn’t have to go home and would go to a room by herself, where she wasn't judged and could be by herself. I think this chapter is very important because people get sick of society always judging and making comments on you and that the room alone to yourself would be nice. It would be nice to not always have to live up to people's expectations and to be yourself.