“A Smart Cookie” - Mychaela Brown

   

Chapter Summary

     In this short chapter called “A Smart Cookie”, Esperanza’s mother complains that she should have done more with her life. Esperanza explains that her mother has many skills: “She can speak two languages. She can sing an opera. She knows how to fix a T.V.” (Cisneros, 90). Esperanza’s mother makes it clear to her, that she should do more with her life, rather than relying on a man. Her mother gives examples of her own friends: how one’s husband left her and the other died. Her mother also explains how she dropped out of school not because she lacked the knowledge, but because she was ashamed that she didn’t have nice clothes.    

Best Long Passage

In my opinion this is the best passage in the chapter.

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

You want to know why I quit school? 

Because I didn’t have nice clothes. 

No clothes, but I had brains. (Cisneros, 91).

    I think that there is a lesson for Esperanza to learn here. This is the lesson Esperanza’s mother is trying to preach; if you think you’re too smart for school, you’ll eventually end up dedicating your life to being someone’s wife, and being stuck in a position where you cannot leave. Her mother is displaying a lot of regret in this chapter. This chapter really solidifies Esperanza’s earlier claim that the Mexicans don’t like their women strong. 

Comparisons

    “But she doesn’t know which subway train to take to get to downtown” (Cisneros, 91). Esperanza could mean it literally, but also as if her mother won’t leave the situation she is dissatisfied with. I think my mother could really relate to this chapter. I know she wishes that she could have furthered her education, rather than jumping straight into motherhood. My mother always reiterates how important education is and also using all your skills to the best of your abilities.