Viewpoints

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Viewpoints An immigrant from Mexico who lives on Mango Street appears to be timid and anxious about this new land and all the people in it. The title of the book, The House on Mango Street, includes vignettes written by Sandra Cisneros. The vignettes cover the story of Esperanza, the immigrant, in which the young girl offers insight on many of the events that occur around her neighborhood. Deducted from her actions, Esperanza is a person who is a bad role model. Because she is afraid, ashamed, and inconsistent that makes her a poor choice for a role model. Bad roles models show they are afraid, as Esperanza demonstrates. In the vignette, “Those Who Don’t,” she discusses how Mexicans feel safe in their own communities, but scared in white communities. Esperanza states, “All brown all around, we are safe. But watch us drive into a neighborhood of another color and knees go shakity-shake and our car windows get rolled up tight and our eyes look straight” (Cisneros 28). She shows that everyone, including herself, becomes fearful when people of her ethnicity enter a neighborhood that is not Mexican. Then, Esperanza tells the story of her grandmother being abducted by her grandfather and forced to live the subdued life of a wife. As Esperanza laments, “I inherited her name, but I don’t want to inherit her place by the window” (Cisneros 11). The passage shows that she fears her future will be as gloomy as her grandmother’s life. Role models are expected to be bold and courageous through their actions. By being afraid, Esperanza paints the wrong picture and promotes acting like a “scaredy cat.” Other people should not revere her. Esperanza feels ashamed of her position in life, which indicates she is bad role model. She and her fa... ... middle of paper ... ... fantasizes about owning that same dream house for herself. A good role model must be consistent with portraying her values. She cannot be hypocritical and change her conduct. A good role model must be steady in her life so that the people looking up to her will be firm in their values. Esperanza illustrates that she is a bad role model through her actions and words. She is afraid of white communities and of her future. Whenever she looks at things she cannot have or people mock her lifestyle, she feels ashamed. Her inconsistency in decisions also makes her a bad role model. The immigrant from Mexico appears shy and terrified because inside she truly has reasons to feel that way. Esperanza must learn to overcome her fears, past prejudices, and low expectations to become successful in all aspects of her life. Only then, will she become a positive role model.

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