Alicia (Who Sees Mice) (V. 14, 42)

 


Alicia (who sees mice) is portrayed as a role model for Esperanza in her hopes of leaving Mango Street

to begin a new life of her own. Vignette 14 describes Alicia in the place of her deceased mother, as she must

take on responsibility in the household that she might not have otherwise had to take on. The common

structure of the household and the corresponding responsibilities within the households on Mango Street

become evident as Alicia is now the oldest and must make tortillas in place of her mother. Alicia must take

“...two trains and a bus” in order to reach the university that she attends. Alicia has taken on her mother’s

exhaustion, not as a genetic illness but as an inherited lifestyle. This exhaustion is why Alicia sees mice that

do not exist. Esperanza mentions that Alicia continues in this lifestyle in order to perform some kind of

escape from the factories that she would otherwise dwell within. Alicia seems to have a deeper and more

realistic grasp of the true possibilities of ‘escaping’ Mango Street as vignette 42 details a conversation

between Esperanza and Alicia with the atmosphere of identity hanging in the air. Alicia states that whether

Esperanza likes it or not, she is Mango Street (107). Alicia’s own experiences up until this point have molded

her view of the future of her identity relating to the neighborhood. 


Alicia practically embodies the 2020 album, folklore, due to her tired efforts to uphold herself as well as her family despite trials and tribulations. Tracks such as this is me trying could practically be sung by Alicia as she attempts to complete university and gain a new life for herself. Alicia also recognizes that she will never truly be able to leave Mango Street, which casts a somber mood on her life and fits the album well. Folklore has always struck me as a semi-hopeful album, as Taylor wipes off the fog from a window allowing the listener to peek inside different aspects of the chosen life. Every last track holds a certain type of dreamy feel, which is perfect for exhausted college student Alicia. 

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