Three Sisters -Coach Daniel Arndt

 

                              As we leave our past behind we must not forget where it all started.
Three Sisters

    In the chapter titled Three Sisters, Sandra Cisneros describes the uniqueness of the three women that have entered the life of Esperanza. They are Lucy and Rachel's aunts and each one has their distinct characteristics. Regardless of how individually unique the women may be, Cisneros compares them together to a large mysterious planet from far away (103). In this short story by Sandra Cisneros, she brings to life the picture of the wise elderly women blowing into town like a warm summer breeze, spreading light and rays of hope to young Esperanza. Then suddenly leaving like the infant baby lying in the dirty floored room (104-105).

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    As I was reading Three Sisters, I found myself breaking down what I felt to be the different similes in the story, how each one created a vivid image in my mind. I also caught myself very drawn to the statement made to Esperanza by the aunt with the porcelain hands. After Esperanza makes her wish, the wise older woman takes a moment just evaluating her in silence. She then goes on to say:

      When you leave you must remember to come back for the others.  A circle, 

      understand?  You will always be Esperanza.  You will always be Mango Street.

      You can’t erase what you know.  You can’t forget who you are (105).

I can see where a comment such as this could scare a young person looking for a better life. Making them wonder if the elder could read minds.

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    Three Sisters takes me back to My Name (10-11). In My Name, Esperanza talks about her 

name and what it means. How she was not necessarily pleased with her parents’ selection of 

names. She goes on in the chapter to talk about her grandmother and how she wondered if her 

grandmother essentially wasted her life being content with what she had. A quote that ties it 

together from My Name states, “I have inherited her name, but I don’t want to inherit her place 

by the window”(11). Esperanza's feelings in My Name were brought full circle in Three Sisters. 

The wise elderly woman told her to stay true to her name and  who you are. Remember her 

roots.