“I am tired of looking at what we can’t have.” This particular quote explains that Esperanza desperately longs to leave Mango Street behind, but she also feels that she Esperanza is coming to realize she may never get out of MangoStreet. Esperanza feels as though she is trapped many times. Three areas whereEsperanza realizes just how trapped she is are a treasure in a furniture shop that theycannot have, Esperanza’s family making lies about when they will leave, and the pastexperiences of Esperanza’s family members.To begin, Esperanza first realizes how trapped she is in Mango Street in one ofher routine visits to “Gil’s Furniture Bought & Sold.” Esperanza and Nenny discover atreasure in this odd place. It is a music box, and one of the most beautiful things either ofthem have heard. However, when they attempt to purchase it, they are turned away by theowner. Obviously, the music box brings hope and joy to Gil, the store owner. He wants tokeep this old and beat up music box forever. It keeps him going in the different world ofMango Street. The fog begins to clear even more in Esperanza’s head once she has thispicture and sound of the music box in her head. She has seen the way out, but she willnever take it because it is not for sale.Furthermore, Esperanza’s family has much longing to get out. However, many ofthese wishes will not come true. Esperanza’s parents have told her their house on MangoStreet is only temporary. In her heart, however, Esperanza knows how their stay in thishouse will really go. Before the family had moved onto Mango Street, they had movedevery year. Esperanza’s parents had always told stories about how they will move into ahouse that is unlike the others. Esperanza knows she is stuck on Mango Street, and thatthere is little chance that she may leave someday because of the number of times that sheis denied something, such as in the furnitur...
