Analysis Of A Smart Cookie

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Esperanza's knowledge of what was a simple but depressing childhood fast forwarded in the vignette of “A Smart Cookie”. This vignette, shown towards the ending of the book explains parts of Esperanza's mother’s background. Her hardships in life and how she got to where she is today. As the two head towards the city, Esperanzas explains that “she doesn’t know which subway train to take to get downtown.” She says, “I hold her hand very tight while we wait for the right train to arrive.” (Cisneros, Page 90) The first piece of evidence shows that her mother is not familiar with the big city and subways and how to get around. A young woman going to Chicago from an usual surrounding is already frightening enough. Taking her young daughter along …show more content…

The definition of ‘family’ changes throughout the storyline from bad to good relationships within her family. One of the first beginning chapters explains how excitement was brought upon Esperanza as she notices all this things that made her different from her family. Knowing everyone is unique made her happy in this situation rather than others. She firsts views herself as too insignificant to be allowed to speak to own brother or friends; bad self esteem and negative vibes also came from the wrath she desired for her sister Nenny, the excuse for her unfortunate self that caused Esperanza to be a lonely girl with no friends. The separation was formed by lack of communication and passive aggression. Exclusion and hatred came from this triangle of siblings, no one belonged. Later in the novella, Esperanza connects with her Uncle. He forces her to change her habits of being the only one depressed while the rest of the world was spinning. Already down sided over a pair of shoes, Esperanza was drawn to the dance floor while her Uncle showed her off. Her talent had shown. Uncle Nacho brought out a different side of her that had not been experienced before. Graceful and joyous, she was applauded by an audience and her mother, a hard worker providing shelter, food, and warmth for her children. The two were proud of little Esperanza. All the attention towards her helped shape her respect for her uncle and those around her. As shown in this vignette of the support from her mother, it is also shown in one of ending vignettes, titled “A Smart Cookie”. Mrs. Cordero uses her daughters young age to teach her how the future works. A dream come true today might be trash on the road tomorrow. “Nothing turns out as it seems” was the point her mother was trying to get across. This is one of the most important vignettes in this book because it represents her

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