Acantilado Final Quotes

"They always told us that one day we would move into a house, a real house that would be ours for always so we wouldn't have to move each year."

THOMS, "The House on Mango Street" - Esperanza is speaking about how she moved from house to house and was always promised a home by her parents. The House on Mango Street ended up being that home, although it was not ideal.

"It's small and red with tight steps in front and windows so small you'd think they were holding their breath."

THOMS, "The House on Mango Street" - this is Esperanza describing her home by using personification

"Like little rosettes, like little candy circles all curly and pretty because she pinned it in pincurls all day"

THOMS, "Hair" - this is Esperanza describing her mother's hair

"They've got plenty to say to me and Nenny inside the house. But outside they can't be seen talking to girls."

THOMS, "Boys & Girls" - this is Esperanza describing her brothers and how they treat her and Nenny as if the brothers are in a different world (but only in the public eye).

"Until then I am a red balloon, a balloon tied to an anchor."

THOMS, "Boys & Girls" - this is Esperanza describing how she feels like a balloon tied to an anchor because she is isolated and is waiting in anticipation for the opportunity to make a best friend.

"It means sadness, it means waiting. It is like the number nine."

THOMS, "My Name" - this is Esperanza describing her name which means hope

"She was a horse-woman too, born like me in the Chinese year of the horse."

THOMS, "My Name" - this is Esperanza describing her grandmother and how they have the same name.

"Just like that, as if she were a fancy chandelier"

THOMS, "My Name" - this is Esperanza describing her grandmother and what happened regarding her grandmother's marriage. (her loss of power)

Zeze the X

THOMS, "My Name" - this is the name that Esperanza wants to have because she dislikes her name. Her name is made fun of and is an example of a lack of power. She has the name her grandmother has, but does not want to inherit the place that her grandmother has by the window.

"Cats asleep like little donuts. Cats on top of the refrigerator. Cats taking a walk on the dinner table."

THOMS, "Cathy Queen of Cats" - this is Esperanza describing how many cats Cathy has

Cathy

Cathy is Esperanza's first friend in the neighborhood. They don't stay friends for long because Cathy has to leave Mango Street on the Tuesday after her and Esperanza meet.

"\____ is the lady who owns the building next to you. She used to own a building big as a whale, but her brother sold it."

THOMS, "Cathy Queen of Cats" - this is Esperanza describing Edna.

"She is trying to get somebody to chip in so they can buy a bicycle from this kid named Tito. They already have ten dollars and all they need is five more."

THOMS, "Our Good Day" - this is Esperanza explaining how Rachel and Lucy are trying to collect money from other people so they can buy a bike from Tito. Lucy is the oldest, and Rachel is the youngest. They come from Texas.

"They are wearing shiny Sunday shoes without socks. It makes their bald ankles all red, but I like them."

THOMS, "Our Good Day" - this is Esperanza explaining why she likes the two sisters, Rachel and Lucy. She likes them because she can relate to them more than she can relate to Cathy.

"You sure got quite a load there...you got quite a load there too."

THOMS, "Our Good Day" - this is Esperanza describing how a fat lady called out to the three on the bike, but then Rachel responded with a sassy response.

"Not the shy ice cream bells' giggle of Rachel and Lucy's family, but all of a sudden and surprised like a pile of dishes breaking."

THOMS, "Laughter" - this is Esperanza describing how her and Nenny's laugh are similar. They do not look like sisters on the surface, but their laughter makes them more alike.

"Tables with their feet upside-down and rows and rows of refrigerators with round corners and couches that spin dust in the air when you punch them and a hundred T.V's that don't work probably."

THOMS, "Gil's Furniture Bought & Sold" - this is Esperanza describing the inside of Gil's furniture shop.

"Sometimes if you didn't know better you could be in there a long time before your eyes notice a pair of gold glasses floating in the dark."

THOMS, "Gil's Furniture Bought & Sold" - this is Esperanza describing Gil, the owner of the furniture shop. He is a black man and cannot be clearly seen in his dark shop.

"It's like all of a sudden he let go a million moths all over the dusty furniture and swan-neck shadows and in our bones."

THOMS, "Gil's Furniture Bought & Sold" - this is Esperanza describing the music that comes from the ugly music box Gil shows her and Nenny. The box is not for sale.

"His name isn't really \____. His name is Juan."

THOMS, "Meme Ortiz" - this is Esperanza describing Meme Ortiz, aka Juan Ortiz. Everybody calls him Meme besides his mother.

"Around the back is a yard, mostly dirt, and a greasy bunch of boards that used to be a garage."

THOMS, "Meme Ortiz" - this is Esperanza describing Meme Ortiz's house. There is a huge tree with fat arms in their yard, which is the most notable thing about their yard.

"\______ is the oldest in a family of little sisters. He is my brother's friend really, but I know he has two cousins and that his t-shirts never stay tucked in his pants."

THOMS, "Louie, His Cousin & His Other Cousin" - This is Esperanza describing Louie, who is part of a Puerto Rican family that moved into a basement apartment under Meme's house.

"She wears dark nylons all the time and lots of makeup she gets free from selling Avon."

THOMS, "Louie, His Cousin & His Other Cousin" - this is Esperanza describing Marin, Louie's girl cousin.

"Apples, peaches, pumpkin pay-ay. You're in love and so am ah-ay."

THOMS, "Louie, His Cousin & His Other Cousin" - this is the song that Marin sings all the time while clicking her fingers.

"The seats were big and soft like a sofa, and there was a little white cat in the back window whose eyes lit up when the car stopped or turned."

THOMS, "Louie, His Cousin & His Other Cousin" - this is Esperanza describing the yellow Cadillac that Louie's cousin had. The cousin crashed it into a lamppost after trying to evade police.

"She says he didn't get a job yet, but she's saving the money she gets from selling Avon and taking care of her cousins."

THOMS, "Marin" - this is Esperanza recalling what Marin tells her. Marin claims she is saving money to go back to Puerto Rico and get married to her boyfriend.

"You always get to look beautiful and get to wear nice clothes and can meet someone in the subway who might marry you and take you to live in a big house far away."

THOMS, "Marin" - this is Esperanza describing how Marin defines downtown. She will only get a job downtown if she is still on Mango Street that next year.

"If you count the white flecks on your fingernails you can know how many boys are thinking of you and lots of other things I can't remember now."

THOMS, "Marin" - this is one of the things that Marin tells Esperanza. Esperanza likes Marin because Marin knows a lot of things.

"What matters...is for the boys to see us and for us to see them."

THOMS, "Marin" - this is what Marin says to Esperanza when they talk about what Marin and other girls should wear. She wears short skirts even when it is cold.

"Is waiting for a car to stop, a star to fall, someone to change her life."

THOMS, "Marin" - this is how Esperanza views Marin.

"They think we're dangerous. They think we will attack them with shiny knives."

THOMS, "Those Who Don't" - this is Esperanza describing how those who do not come from Mango Street make assumptions about the people living there and enter the street scared.

"Who cries every day for the man who left without even leaving a dollar for bologna or a note explaining how come."

THOMS, "There Was an Old Woman She Had So Many Children She Didn't Know What to Do" - this is Esperanza describing Rosa Vargas, and how her partner left her to take care of all of the children by herself.

"They are without respect for all things living, including themselves."

THOMS, "There Was an Old Woman She Had So Many Children She Didn't Know What to Do" - this is Esperanza describing the Vargas children.

"\_____ learned to fly and dropped from the sky like a sugar donut"

THOMS, "There Was an Old Woman She Had So Many Children She Didn't Know What to Do" - this is Esperanza describing how Angel Vargas died and nobody cared.

"Young and smart and studies for the first time at the university."

THOMS, "Alicia Who Sees Mice" - this is Esperanza describing Alicia

"Is afraid of nothing expect four-legged fur. And fathers."

THOMS, "Alicia Who Sees Mice" - this is Esperanza describing how Alicia is afraid of her father because her father is abusive

"Butterflies too are few and so are flowers and most things that are beautiful."

THOMS, "Darius & The Clouds" - this is Esperanza describing the lack of beauty on Mango Street

"\____, who chases girls with firecrackers or a stick that touched a rat and thinks he's tough"

THOMS, "Darius & The Clouds" - this is Esperanza describing Darius

"God, he said, and made it simple."

THOMS, "Darius & The Clouds" - this is Esperanza describing how Darius pointed out a cloud that he claimed was made by God.

"The Eskimos got thirty different names for snow."

THOMS, "And Some More" - this is a fact that Esperanza read in a book.

"No two exactly exactly alike. Only how do you remember which one is which?

THOMS, "And Some More" - this is Nenny speaking

"That there is Nancy, otherwise known as Pig-eye. And over there her cousin Mildred, and little Joey, Marco, Nereida and Sue."

THOMS, "And Some More" - this is Nenny naming the clouds.

"You are like the Cream of Wheat cereal. You're like the lumps."

THOMS, "And Some More" - this is Nenny insulting Esperanza

"Fat and doughy like thick tamales."

THOMS, "The Family of Little Feet" - this is Esperanza describing the grandpa's feet

"Today we are Cinderella because our feet fit exactly"

THOMS, "The Family of Little Feet" - this is Esperanza describing how her, Rachel, and Lucy tried on heels that the mom of the little feet family gave them.

"She teaches us to cross and uncross our legs, and to run like a double-dutch rope"

THOMS, "The Family of Little Feet" - this is Esperanza describing Rachel

"I can't see very well. Come closer. Please."

THOMS, "The Family of Little Feet" - this is the old bum talking to Rachel

"Even the name sounds important."

THOMS, "A Rice Sandwich" - this is Esperanza talking about the canteen where the special kids eat

"You kids just like to invent more work for me."

THOMS, "A Rice Sandwich" - this is what Esperanza's mother says to Esperanza after Esperanza asks her mom to make her a lunch with a note so she can eat in the canteen

"\____ mama has a big color T.V. and all they do is watch cartoons."

THOMS, "A Rice Sandwich" - this is Esperanza describing Gloria, Nenny's friend

"They like to stand out in the cold especially if it's raining."

THOMS, "A Rice Sandwich" - this is Esperanza describing her brothers, Kiki and Carlos

"I can't even blow up a balloon without getting dizzy."

THOMS, "A Rice Sandwich" - this is Esperanza describing how she is anemic

"Mama is sick. I fan her hot face with a paper plate."

THOMS, "Chanclas" - this is Esperanza talking about her mom when they are at the baptism party for her little cousin

"My feet growing bigger and bigger."

THOMS, "Chanclas" - this is Esperanza describing how she feels in her old shoes during the baptism party

"Who are those two who dance like in the movies"

THOMS, "Chanclas" - this quote refers to Esperanza and Uncle Nacho dancing with each other

"One day you wake up and they are there."

THOMS, "Hips" - this is Esperanza talking about how girls grow hips seemingly overnight

"One day you might decide to have kids, and then where are you going to put them?"

THOMS, "Hips" - this is Esperanza talking to Rachel, Lucy, and Nenny about why hips are important

"She is the color of a bar of naphtha laundry soap, she is like the little brown piece left at the end of the wash"

THOMS, "Hips" - this is Esperanza describing Nenny

"The next morning I put on the navy blue dress that made me look older and borrowed money for lunch and bus fare"

THOMS, "The First Job" - this is Esperanza getting ready for her first job

"He said we could be friends and next time to go in the lunchroom and sit with him"

THOMS, "The First Job" - this is Esperanza talking about the older oriental man that approaches her at her job

"As if he just heard the news himself, crumples like a coat and cries"

THOMS, "Papa Who Wakes Up Tired in the Dark" - this is Esperanza describing her dad's reaction to the death of his father

"I will have to explain why we can't play. I will have to tell them to be quiet today."

THOMS, "Papa Who Wakes Up Tired in the Dark" - this is Esperanza explaining how she is the oldest and is responsible for her younger siblings.

"Her name was \_________ and she was pretty like my mother. Dark. Good to look at."

THOMS, "Born Bad" - this is Esperanza describing her Aunt Guadalupe (Aunt Lupe).

"Maybe the sky didn't look the day she fell down. Maybe God was busy."

THOMS, "Born Bad" - this is Esperanza talking about potential causes for her Aunt's illness

"I don't know why we picked her. Maybe we were bored that day."

THOMS, "Born Bad" - this is Esperanza talking about how she and her friends would play a game in which they would pretend to be someone (they pretended to be Aunt Lupe).

"a little oyster, a little piece of meat on an open shell for us to look at."

THOMS, "Born Bad" - this is Esperanza describing her Aunt Lupe and how sick she looks

"Maybe she was ashamed. Maybe she was embarrassed it took so many years."

THOMS, "Born Bad" - this is Esperanza talking about how her Aunt Lupe struggled to stay alive

"Her T.V. is color and big and all her pretty furniture made out of red fur like the teddy bears they give away in carnivals."

THOMS, "Elenita, Cards, Palm, Water" - this is Esperanza talking about Elenita's home

"I go to the sink and pick the only clean glass there...then put the glass of water on the center of the table"

THOMS, "Elenita, Cards, Palm, Water" - this is Esperanza doing what Elenita told her to do

"Ah yes, a home in the heart. I see a home in the heart."

THOMS, "Elenita, Cards, Palm, Water" - this is what Elenita tells Esperanza after giving her a reading

"She met him at a dance...said he worked in a restaurant, but she can't remember which one."

THOMS, "Geraldo No Last Name" - this is Esperanza describing how Marin met Geraldo

"\_____, tall skinny lady with red lipstick and blue babushka."

THOMS, "Edna's Ruthie" - this is Esperanza describing Ruthie

"She likes candy...she says make sure it's the soft kind because her teeth hurt"

THOMS, "Edna's Ruthie" - this is Esperanza talking about how Ruthie would ask her to get her candy

"She had lots of job offers when she was young, but she never took them. She got married instead and moved away to a pretty house."

THOMS, "Edna's Ruthie" - this is Esperanza talking about Ruthie

"You have the most beautiful teeth I have ever seen."

THOMS, "Edna's Ruthie" - this is what Ruthie says to Esperanza

"The little wooden door that has wedged shut the dark for so long opens with a sigh and lets out a breath of mold and dampness."

THOMS, "Earl of Tennessee" - this is Esperanza talking about the Earl's home

"They walk fast into the apartment, lock the door behind them and never stay long"

THOMS, "Earl of Tennessee" - this is Esperanza talking about the Earl and his "wives"

"I knew he was looking...I looked too long when he rode his bike past me."

THOMS, "Sire" - this is Esperanza talking about Sire, her first crush

"She is tiny and pretty and smells like baby's skin."

THOMS, "Sire" - this is Esperanza describing Lois, Sire's girlfriend

"They are the only ones who understand me. I am the only one who understands them."

THOMS, "Four Skinny Trees" - this is Esperanza talking about the four skinny trees

"They grow up and they grow down and grab the earth between their hairy toes"

THOMS, "Four Skinny Trees" - this is Esperanza describing the trees and their roots

"The man saved his money to bring her here. He saved and saved because she was alone with the baby boy in that country."

THOMS, "No Speak English" - this is Esperanza talking about the man who brought Mamacita to Mango Street

"Huge, enormous, beautiful to look at, from the salmon-pink feather on the tip of her hat down to the little rosebuds of her toes."

THOMS, "No Speak English" - this is Esperanza describing Mamacita

"Home is a house in a photograph, a pink house, pink as hollyhocks with lots of startled light."

THOMS, "No Speak English" - this is Esperanza talking about Mamacita's home, not house

"And then \_______, who is still young but getting old from leaning out the window so much"

THOMS, "Rafaela Who Drinks Coconut & Papaya Juice on Tuesdays" - this is Esperanza describing Rafaela

"\_______ is the girl with eyes like Egypt and nylons the color of smoke."

THOMS, "Sally" - this is Esperanza talking about Sally

"The stories the boys tell in the coatroom, they're not true. You lean against the schoolyard fence alone with your eyes closed as if no one was watching."

THOMS, "Sally" - this is Esperanza talking (thinking) about Sally

"\______ cries because her luck is unlucky. Every night and every day. And prays."

THOMS, "Minerva Writes Poems" - this is Esperanza talking about Minerva

"Next week she comes over black and blue and asks what can she do?"

THOMS, "Minerva Writes Poems" - this is Esperanza talking about Minerva and what happens to Minerva (abuse)

"People who live on hills sleep so close to the stars they forget those of us who live too much on earth."

THOMS, "Bums in the Attic" - this is Esperanza talking about how distanced she is from people who have nice homes

"One day I'll own my own house, but I won't forget who I am or where I came from."

THOMS, "Bums in the Attic" - this is Esperanza talking about her future home, in which she will offer the attic to passing bums

"\______ has pretty eyes and it's easy to talk that way if you are pretty."

THOMS, "Beautiful & Cruel" - this is Esperanza talking about how Nenny won't wait for a husband

"I am an ugly daughter."

THOMS, "Beautiful & Cruel" - this is Esperanza talking about herself.

"I am one who leaves the table like a man."

THOMS, "Beautiful & Cruel" - this is Esperanza defying gender norms.

"She can speak two languages. She can sing an opera."

THOMS, "A Smart Cookie" - this is Esperanza describing her mom

"\_______, you go to school. Study hard."

THOMS, "A Smart Cookie" - this is Esperanza's mom talking to Esperanza

"Shame is a bad thing, you know. It keeps you down."

THOMS, "A Smart Cookie" - this is Esperanza's mom talking

"A girl who comes in with her pretty face all beaten and black can't be falling off the stairs."

THOMS, "What Sally Said" - this is Esperanza talking about the abuse that Sally faces

"He thinks I'm going to run away like his sisters who made the family ashamed. Just because I'm a daughter."

THOMS, "What Sally Said" - this is what Sally tells Esperanza

"You're not my daughter, you're not my daughter. And then he broke into his hands."

THOMS, "What Sally Said" - this is Esperanza describing Sally's dad