Sally (V. 32, 37-40)

 



         Vignette 32 describes Sally as a beautiful young girl, approximately the age of Esperanza yet far

more experienced in activities specifically relating to the opposite sex. Sally’s father is extremely dedicated to

upholding their family’s religion, and his strict and harsh actions appear to be fueled by his fear of Sally

growing into her older sisters’ shoes (81). A large portion of vignette 32 is dedicated to Esperanza abstractly

asking Sally about her life. Esperanza even recognizes Sally’s change of character when she returns to her

home. Esperanza mentions that “You pull your skirt straight, you rub the blue paint off your eyelids” (82).

These actions are most likely in response to Sally’s desire to please everyone in a different way. For her

father, she must pull down her skirt and rub her makeup off. The descriptions of Sally reveal a much more

complex psychology whose foundation is rooted in fear and desire. The reader becomes aware later in

vignette 37 that Sally is beaten by her father consistently, especially when her father catches her talking to a

boy (93). Sally seems to be comfortable with interactions with the opposite sex, which influences Esperanza

heavily and leads her to situations against her will. Sally consistently chooses to flirt with the boys over

Esperanza’s friendship, and this is expressed in both vignettes 38 and 39. Vignette 40 discusses Sally’s

marriage, one that she appears to be happy in, however, for questionable reasons. Sally claims that she is in

love, but Esperanza thinks she did it to escape (101). 


    Reputation is the assigned album for Sally, as she appears to be blinded by love to the point of changing her character to appeal to multiple people. Sally becomes obsessed with being Gorgeous in her own way. Despite her facade of not caring about other people’s opinions, at the heart lies a desire for people to love her for who she is. Sally ventures out into the world regardless of her father’s instructions, almost in a conceptual Getaway Car. For Taylor Swift, Reputation is a risk, an opening to an almost evil-like style of pop in the face of the opposing media, criticizing her for being too sweet. Sally does this in her own way with the eyeliner and carefully molded skirts in order to thrust her personality (and body I suppose) in the way of others. 

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