Final answer:
The theme of 'Eleven' by Sandra Cisneros is the complexities of growing up, shown through the protagonist's emotional experiences on her eleventh birthday. Sandra Cisneros's writing journey was heavily influenced by her recognition of her unique identity, leading her to create a writing style that captures her experiences as a Mexican-American writer.
Step-by-step explanation:
The theme of 'Eleven' by Sandra Cisneros is the complexity of growing up and the exploration of one's identity at different stages of life. This short story delves into the emotional experiences of the protagonist, Rachel, on her eleventh birthday, as she grapples with feelings of embarrassment, powerlessness, and the desire to be understood. Cisneros uses Rachel's reflections on age and maturity to illustrate how a person carries all the ages they have been within them, and how these cumulative experiences shape the individual.