“No speak English” - Fatima Cisse

 The chapter titled ” no speak English” is written in the point of view of Esperanza about Mamacita . The chapter is about Mamacita, one of Esperanza’s neighbors, a lady described to the reader as a stylish overweight women, who barely leaves her house because of her weight insecurity. Mamacita also has a a child. She was brought over to America by her husband who saved up the money.As the reader understand her point of view, one actually understands that she is actually insecure about no being able to speak or understand English. Mamacita is homesick, and misses her country. In the end of the story, Mamacita’s own child is exposed to the English language by watching TV, and Mamacita reiterates to her child that she doesn’t understand what he’s saying.

If I had to pick the best long passage, it would have to be on on page 77, paragraph 3.

The excerpt states

” somebody said because she’s too fat, somebody because of the three flights of stairs, but I believe she doesn’t come out because she is afraid to speak English, and maybe this is so since she only knows eight words”

In this quotation, The point of view is described to be of some neighbors, and also Esperanza’s. She is drawing a conclusion as to why she thinks Mamacita doesn’t come out of her house. 

I overall found many things I related to in the book” the house on mango street” by Sandra Cisneros. Whilst reading the chapter “ No speak English”. I found myself thinking about how I related to Mamacita when I first came to the US. I remember not knowing English, and when someone used to talk to me, I too would say “ I don’t speak English. At the time, I was so embarrassed, I was in 3rd grade and the teacher would try her best to communicate with me using a French dictionary and google translate. I took ESL classes, and watched a lot of tv. This I find I relate to  Mamacita’s child. I could say I picked up the English language pretty quickly.