Final answer:
Setting details in María's story reveal her intimate connection to her environment, which becomes akin to a character, influencing her sense of home and belonging in New York.
Step-by-step explanation:
Analyzing how María's building and New York have become her 'island, my home', it is clear that the setting details play a crucial role in shaping the reader's understanding of María's decision. The sense of home and belonging develops through the intimate portrayal of the surroundings, where each landscape, weather condition, character's looks, and the array of colors and sounds all contribute to the layered relationship between María and her environment. For instance, Cisneros's descriptions of her building and the city around it in terms of 'my island, my home' indicate a deeply personal connection, with the setting almost becoming a character in itself. In her memoir, 'A House of My Own: Stories from My Life', Cisneros uses reflective and descriptive language to highlight the intersection of home, culture, and environment, further embedding the sense of setting into the reader's understanding of her journey.