Sometimes By Sandra Cisneros

In Sandra Cisneros’ The House on Mango Street, the vignette “Mango Says Goodbye Sometimes” teaches that, in order to mature, one must accept where they come from. In “Mango Says Goodbye Sometimes,” the protagonist, Esperanza, finally accepts her past community. Cisneros writes, “I am going to tell you a story about a girl who didn’t want to belong… I put it down on paper and then the ghost does not ache so much. I write it down and Mango says goodbye sometimes. She does not hold me with both arms. She sets me free” (Cisneros 110). When Cisneros uses the phrase “a girl who didn’t want to belong,” she shows that Esperanza was ashamed of where she came from. Specifically, by using the words “didn’t want” she displays how Esperanza truly felt about Mango Street, but now, Esperanza accepts her past community which has helped her to become more mature.

The “ache” Mango Street used to give her goes away because she has let go of her past community which helps her move on. Sandra Cisneros specifically displays that Esperanza accepts the community when she writes, “She sets me free,” showing Mango Street no longer holds her back from growing up and getting out. Mango Street “sets” Esperanza “free” because Esperanza let her negative feelings toward the street go, and when doing so she matures. She realizes Mango Street is holding her back from moving on, and further maturing. When doing so she slowly lets go of her hate for Mango Street. By letting go of Mango Street she lets the rest of her childhood