Alicia Who Sees Mice

Thank You!

Any Questions?

How about I stop doing all the talking!

General Questions:

1) Why do you think Cisneros included Alicia’s father in this vignette? What is the importance of his beliefs?

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In the future...

2) Why do you think that Cisneros does not use quotes in her vignettes? What is the bonus of this decision?

2) Do you think that Alicia will become of great importance in Esperanza’s life? If so, in what ways? If not, why?

Let's talk about the creepy crawlies!

4) What do you believe the Mice symbolize? Do they symbolize anything at all? Did you find any other symbols?

Alicia Who Sees Mice

Have you ever felt alone? Have you ever felt alone, even knowing you have someone there to support you? Alicia Who Sees Mice is a vignette in the novel "The House on Mango Street" by Sandra Cisneros. Alicia Who Sees Mice makes you realize the importance of family. It is an expansion of the description of Esperanza’s neighbors. This vignette, in particular, explains how Esperanza’s family has helped her though this tough move to Mango Street. It also provides a very good foundation for the book, because it shows how Esperanza is not alone, and how there are other families in her neighborhood who are struggling.

In Comparison...

3) How does Esperanza’s life relate to Alicia’s life? How are their lives different?

An emphasis!

Let's

Discuss!

How does the imagery in this vignette make a bigger impact on what Cisneros is trying to portray?

What is the Mood?

The mood of this vignette is neither happy, nor sad. This vignette is a rather dull portion of the story, meaning that during this vignette, there is no good news that is displayed, no happiness, and no pride. During this part of the book, Cisneros is still introducing characters, and this is a very good way to do it. Instead of stating the characters names and their likes and dislikes in a military fashion, Cisneros tells the characters’ individual stories, and lets you describe them in you own way.

The Language

Who is Alicia?

"...the one that appears early just in time to rise and catch the hind legs behind the sink, beneath the four-clawed tub, under the swollen floorboards that nobody fixes, in the corner of your eyes" (31).

The language in this vignette follows the same format as the other vignettes do in the novel. One thing that sticks out from the other devices is the lack of quotations. Whether it is Esperanza talking, or one of the other characters in this vignette, there are no quotations. This is an interesting way of telling the story. It is as if Esperanza is telling you from her perspective. For example, this quote is from the beginning of the vignette, “Close your eyes and they’ll go away, her father says” (31). This writing style makes the book feel as if you are having a conversation with the main character. Using this writing style, Cisneros is able to make the readers feel like they are right along with Esperanza through her emotional journey. This is a very good element when you think about what could happen at the end of the book.

Devices that Cisneros uses. (cont.)

One of the literary devices Cisneros uses in this vignette.

Alicia is a young student who is eager to learn. Her mother passed away, and her father is very stern. With her mother gone, Alicia is forced to be the woman of the house, preparing meals, and taking care of her younger siblings when she would rather be excelling in school. She takes public transportation to school every day, just to get away from the hubbub at home. At night while she’s busy studying, she says that she sees mice, but her father tells her that it is just her imagination. Alicia is tired of waking up early in the morning to make “lunch box tortillas”, only to be eaten by her younger siblings later in the day. Her father does not believe that her studies are more important than taking care of him. Alicia does not want to be doing this in the future, and is hoping that there will be a light at the end of the tunnel.

Symbolism: "Is a good girl, my friend, studies all night and sees the mice, the ones her father says do not exist. Is afraid of nothing except four-legged fur. And fathers" (32).

I believe that the mice symbolize Alicia's hope to be successful, and to prove her father wrong. She wants to prove that she can make a difference in society. The two things that scare her are her father and herself. Will she be good enough? Can she be successful?

Imagery: “And anyway, a woman’s place is sleeping so she can wake up early with the tortilla star, the one that appears early just in time to rise and catch the hind legs hide behind the sink, beneath the four-clawed tub, under the swollen floorboards nobody fixes, in the corner of your eyes” (31).

This quote is an example of imagery because you can imagine the mouse crawling between or behind the specific places that Alicia’s father is telling her about. All Alicia’s father wants is for her to take care of him, her siblings, and his house. He wants Alicia to act like his wife, all while trying to live her life. Alicia is trying to focus on her studies, but is overwhelmed by all of the chores that her father assigns her.

Characters

Alicia:

A young adult who is eager to study.

Is mistreated by her father.

Acts like the mother of the house

She has "Inherited her mama's rolling pin and sleepiness..."(31)

Alicia's father:

Looked at as a stern figure.

Does not believe in Alicia, and what she is able to do.