In the vignette, "The House on Mango Street" by Sandra Cisneros, Esperanza undergoes a significant change in her character. Throughout the novel, Esperanza is portrayed as a young girl who is ashamed of her identity and her impoverished background. However, as the story progresses, Esperanza begins to embrace her cultural heritage and becomes more confident in herself.
One example of this change can be seen in the chapter "Four Skinny Trees." In this chapter, Esperanza describes four trees that are growing outside of her house. She compares these trees to herself and her sisters, saying that they are "growing despite the concrete" and that they are "bent at odd angles because they don't know how to grow straight." This comparison shows how Esperanza sees herself and her sisters as being different from the other people in their community. They are struggling to grow and thrive in a place where it is difficult to do so.
However, later in the novel, Esperanza begins to see the beauty in her community and in her own identity. In the chapter "Beautiful & Cruel," Esperanza describes a woman named Sally who is abused by her husband. Esperanza sees Sally's situation as an example of how women in their community are often mistreated and oppressed. However, instead of feeling ashamed or embarrassed by this reality, Esperanza becomes angry and determined to fight against it. She says, "I want to be like the waves on the sea, like the clouds in the wind, but I'm me. One day I'll jump out of my skin. I'll shake the sky like a hundred violins."
This passage shows how Esperanza is beginning to embrace her own identity and use it as a source of strength. She no longer sees herself as being inferior or ashamed of where she comes from. Instead, she sees herself as a powerful force for change in her community.
Overall, this vignette shows a significant change in Esperanza's character. She goes from being a shy and ashamed young girl to a confident and determined young woman who is proud of her identity and willing to fight for what she believes in.