One theme that I take particular interest in is the them of gender roles. Throughout the novel, Esperanza talks about how “the Mexicans don’t like their women strong.” We are shown examples of how strong women are held back in the vignettes featuring Esperanza’s great-grandmother (“My Name”), Alicia in “Alicia Who Sees Mice,” and Esperanza’s mother in “A Smart Cookie” (we haven’t quite gotten there yet, but we will eventually). The role of women in Esperanza’s society is to be the homemakers, the wives, and the mothers. There is no room for education or writing. I think Cisneros wants us to know that this isn’t fair, and that the way in which this society does not sit well with Esperanza. One motif that really helps this theme along is that of women sitting by windows. A symbol that is significant is the “red-balloon” tied down in an earlier part of the book.
Both of my parents are open-minded about gender roles. My grandparents on my dad’s side are a little different though. They don’t necessarily think that women shouldn’t be educated or that they should just stay at home and raise children, but there isn’t very much encouragement if a female family member decides to go to college or maintain a career. I think it’s more influenced by age and not so much culture, as many female members of my family are very successful. However, I can sympathize with Esperanza’s want to break free from the constraints of her gender.
