Real-World Connection 75-90
This range of pages seems to be exclusively about females that should be independent or calls to be independent; because of this it is my opinion that the first and most effective use of symbolism in the section, I.E. the four trees, is as connected to the range as is possible. The trees stand together, in a place they do not belong, determined to grow despite the concrete, to defy the expectations of the world. This is an obvious parallel with an ideal of female independence. Let's run down a list of the vignettes in this section, shall we? Four Skinny Trees; no explanation needed, No Speak English; a woman who is being kept away from her home by a male she lives with. Rafaela, Who Drinks Coconut & Papaya Juice on Tuesday; A woman whose husband locks her up when he has to come home late because he's paranoid that she'll run off. Sally, A teenager who wishes to love, but cannot without the whole world looking down on her for it. Minerva Writes Poems, A girl, litter older than Esperanza, who already has two kids and a husband, whose mother had to raise her by herself. A girl whose husband leaves and comes back and leaves and comes back in a cycle, who threw a rock through the window and beat her when she tried to get rid of him. Bums in the Attic; Esperanza, who wants a house of her own, where she can make her own decisions, decisions that in her opinion, no other rich person would make, including a rich husband. Beautiful & Cruel, Esperanza who believes herself to be ugly, and is determined to be the type of woman who resists and infuriates men. So, every single vignette follows the theme I described, I'd say I chose pretty well.