Mamacita (V. 30)

 

        The first of the four skinny trees is Mamacita, a Spanish-speaking woman who takes care of

her baby boy all the while dreaming of returning to her true home. Esperanza describes the arrival of

Mamacita in vignette 30 and compares her situation to events in the life of her own father. Esperanza

recognizes that the reason Mamacita does not come out is that “...she is afraid to speak English” (77).

The man residing in Mamacita’s household is often faced with controversy over Mamacita’s desire to

return to her home. Similar to Esperanza, Mamacita feels as though she does not belong as part of

Mango Street, however, it seems as though Mamacita has a defined location in mind to return to.

This confirms Esperanza’s suspicions that there are better, preferred locations outside of the

neighborhood she is currently living in. Mamacita desperately holds on to language as a last strand

of cultural identity stemming from her original home, which is why she is so dismayed when her son

begins to sing the Pepsi commercial in English as some of his first words (78). Mamacita will not

accept the life she is forced to live. 

        Mamacita must continually tolerate it as she combats her husband over their living location. The 2020 surprise album, evermore, left fans speechless as Taylor Swift had already released folklore (objectively her best album) earlier that year. Mamacita had to move into the neighborhood of Mango Street seemingly against her will, and her appearance is a slight surprise to Esperanza and her friends. The somber mood of evermore mirrors Mamacita's never-ceasing longing for her true home as Taylor attempts to find her true home emotionally.