Vignette Analyzation

The Earl of Tennessee 

The Earl of Tennessee sets a mood of suspicion. The children don't know whats going on in his life, or in his house. “Earl works nights. His blinds are always closed during the day. Sometimes he comes out and tells us to be quiet.” (p.70) This quote shows how Earl is most likely a busy man, or doesn't want to be affiliated with the children. Earl is portrayed as a man who doesn't have time for anything but his wife who he sees very little of, his dogs that go with him everywhere and his hard work. He is considered a normal man. There is a lot of suspicion about Earl’s wife, because nobody can get a good look at her. The children can “never agree on what she looks like”, causing the suspicion of his marriage. The language used tries to make the children seem innocent and immature by them not knowing what goes on with Earl and his personal life. It seems as if Earl and his wife do not have a steady relationship, or there i not one, but many wives reentering the apartment. 

Sire

The vignette “Sire” follows the motif of growing up and maturing. It uses extreme imagery to describe Esperanza’s feelings and thoughts for the boy she is suddenly noticing. Esperanza has never truly had any experiences with boys, and she is just realizing boys looking at her, signifying her growth and maturity. This vignette displays the way people start to realize their interests in boys or girls as they grow older. She is young, and therefore very naive and vulnerable, but also willing to do things that might not be at her best interest. Sire is known as a “punk” from her Mama and Papa, but she doesn't care. He has a girlfriend, and Esperanza watches the way he holds her hand, and ties her shoes. She knows how to tie her shoes. Esperanza sees the different ways they are growing up and wants to be involved in these activities she is witnessing. “I want to be all new and shiny. i want to sit out bad at night, a boy around my neck and the wind under my skirt.”(p.73) This quote shows how much Esperanza just wants to be grown up and mature enough to try different things and not be afraid of boys and the real world. It shows her character developing throughout the story. Going from a young, “stupid” and innocent little girl, to a mature and growing young lady. 

Four skinny Trees 

The vignette “Four Skinny Trees” portrays Esperanza’s feeling of displacement in the world. She uses the Four Skinny Trees to relate to herself and her affect on the community. The mood is very dull and dreary, because of the way Esperanza sees herself. The trees are supposedly the last thing that you can possibly look at on the street, because of their droopiness and their skinny necks and pointy elbows like hers. But they have strong roots and are the only thing that understand Esperanza. “Four who don’t belong here but are here.” (p.74) This quote shows how unimportant Esperanza feels to the world, and how she doesn't seem to fit like everybody else does. This vignette leaves me appreciate the community I live in, and it makes me feel sorry for Esperanza and how she feels like a “raggedy excuse” just planted in the city, not making an impact. 

No Speak English 

This vignette accurately portrays the feelings of Mamacita and how she doesn't want to be living anywhere but her hometown. She refuses to speak english, signifying that she hates the language and culture. Esperanza talks about how the children haven’t seen Mamacita since they brought the baby home, and that she never comes down the stairs. The children joke around saying that she wont come down the stairs because of her weight, but Esperanza believes its because of her homesickness and denial towards the american culture. “She sits all day by the window and plays the Spanish radio show and sings all the homesick songs about her country in a voice that sounds like a seagull.” (p.77) This quote shows how much Mamacita is homesick and would much rather be raising her child and have a family where she was originally from. This vignette continues the theme of having a specific heritage that she loves and wants to be a part of. As Mamacita shows, it is hard to give up and leave something she loved so dearly even if it is better for her family and her husband’s job. 

Rafaela Who Drinks Coconut & Papaya Juice on Tuesdays 

This vignette shows how different cultures and heritages have different rules that men and women must follow. Shown in this vignette, the beautiful Rafaela is disciplined for being beautiful and for flaunting her beauty out the window. Her husband is afraid that Rafael with have a sudden realization of her beauty and want to run away from him. Rafaela is sick of being held back and just wishes to be free and dance. With asking the kids to buy her coconut and papaya juice, it is her way of appreciating what she can do with such little options. “And always there is someone offering sweeter drinks, someone promising to keep them on a siler string.” (p.80) This quote lets us know how there is always going to be someone to offer her more and more things other than just coconut and papaya juice, and she should appreciate what she has even if it isn't particularly what she would want. 

Sally

The imagery in this vignette is incredible. Just like in “Rafaela Who Drinks Coconut & Papaya Juice on Tuesdays”, this vignette shows the differences in heritage and culture. It talks about Sally’s fathers religion and how it is very strict and doesn't allow flaunted beauty or dancing. “They are not supposed to dance. He remembers his sisters and is sad. Then she cant go out. Sally I mean” (p.81) This quote leaves suspicion for what happened with her father’s sisters. I think his sisters were considered “bad” and left a reputation on his family, or they did not turn out successful. I think Esperanza looks up to Sally and her morals because of the way she presents herself. She can relate to Sally and not being able to do the things she wants to, because she is too young and not experienced enough. It is different with Sally however, because Sally access to doing the things she wants to is completely blocked, because of her fathers strict religion. Esperanza uses this vignette to indirectly as Sally questions if she wishes she could do the things she is not allowed to. Esperanza understands how often Sally is pinpointed for her actions, and how she is often accused of being bad, which is mostly why her father doesn't let her do most things.