House on Mango Street Chp. 17-21 (pg. 39-55)

The Family of Little Feet

Introduction to the Family

• The narrative introduces a family characterized by their small stature, with all members having little arms, hands, and feet.

• The grandfather is depicted sleeping on the couch, snoring loudly; his feet are described as fat and doughy.

Description of Family Members' Feet

• The grandmother's feet are compared to pink pearls, adorned with velvety high heels that cause her to walk unsteadily.

• The baby has tiny toes that resemble those of a salamander; he often puts them in his mouth when hungry.

Shoes and Playful Imagination

• The children receive various pairs of shoes (lemon, red, and pale blue), leading them to feel like Cinderella due to their perfect fit.

• They engage in playful trading of shoes among themselves until they grow tired.

Learning to Walk

• Rachel learns to walk best in the magic high heels; she teaches others how to navigate confidently.

• As they walk down the street, they attract attention from men who comment on their shoes.

Encountering Strangers

• A boy on a bicycle calls out compliments while an older man warns them about wearing such shoes at their age.

• They encounter six girls who pretend not to see them; Lucy identifies these girls as jealous cousins.

Adventures Down the Avenue

Interaction with a Homeless Man

• A homeless man admires Rachel's beauty but makes her uncomfortable by asking for her name.

• Despite knowing it's risky to talk to strangers, Rachel responds because she's flattered by the attention.

Escaping Uncomfortable Situations

• Lucy urges everyone to leave quickly as Rachel seems entranced by the man's words.

• They run away from him and continue their adventure down the avenue.

School Lunch Dilemma

Desire for Canteen Lunches

• The narrator expresses envy towards kids who eat lunch in the canteen because it feels more important than home lunches.

Mother's Reluctance

• When asked for a sandwich note for school lunch, the mother initially refuses due to concerns about extra work involved.

Compromise Reached

A Day in the Life: School, Family, and Growing Up

Struggles at School

• The narrator describes a slow Friday morning at school, highlighting the anticipation for lunchtime and interactions with peers.

• A nun questions the narrator about her presence in the lunchroom, leading to an awkward moment of silence due to shyness.

• The sister superior reads a letter requesting permission for the narrator to eat in the lunchroom because she lives far away; she is criticized for not living as far as claimed.

• The nun makes the narrator point out her house from a distance, which leads to tears when she feels misunderstood and scolded.

• After being allowed to stay just for that day, the narrator experiences embarrassment while eating her sandwich amidst watching peers.

Family Dynamics and Events

• The scene shifts to family life where the mother returns home with new clothes but forgets shoes for an important event.

• Uncle Nacho arrives to take them to a baptism party filled with dancing and food; there’s excitement mixed with concern over their mother's health after overeating tamales.

• The narrator feels self-conscious about wearing old shoes that clash with her new dress during this festive occasion.

Embracing Dance and Confidence

• Despite initial reluctance, encouragement from Uncle Nacho leads the narrator to dance, showcasing a moment of familial bonding and personal growth.

• As they dance together, she begins to forget her insecurities about her appearance; applause from onlookers boosts her confidence.

Conversations About Growing Up

• A discussion among girls about boys and growing up reveals different perspectives on femininity and attraction; there's humor intertwined with serious undertones regarding maturity.

• Rachel's comment on needing hips for various reasons sparks deeper reflections on body image and societal expectations among young girls.

• The conversation continues around scientific explanations of physical changes during puberty, emphasizing how these changes are perceived socially.

Understanding Femininity

• The narrator asserts authority over discussions about bodies by referencing science; this highlights a blend of innocence and emerging understanding of womanhood.

• Laughter ensues as they discuss practical aspects of having hips—how it affects movement—and hints at playful yet serious conversations surrounding growing up.

Double Dutch and Personal Reflections

The Challenge of Double Dutch

• The speaker discusses the difficulty of mastering double dutch, emphasizing the need for a specific rhythm: "not too fast and not too slow."

• Rachel initiates a playful dance, showcasing her creativity with movements inspired by various cultural references like "merengue" and "electricity."

• A humorous comparison is made about different body types in jumping rope, highlighting the diversity among participants.

• The speaker's sister joins in, illustrating familial connections through shared activities despite feeling out of place.

Creative Expression Through Song

• The speaker encourages their sister to create her own song rather than relying on traditional rhymes, indicating a theme of individuality versus conformity.

• A playful chant emerges during the jump rope activity, reflecting childhood innocence and group dynamics.

• The narrative shifts to personal experiences regarding work and societal expectations, revealing deeper themes of responsibility.

First Job Experience

• The speaker recounts their first job search influenced by family pressures to avoid public schooling due to stigma.

• Aunt Lila helps secure a job at Peter Pan photo finishers; the speaker lies about their age to fit in with workplace norms.

Workplace Dynamics

• Describes initial tasks at work involving matching negatives with prints; highlights feelings of confusion about the workflow.

• Experiences fatigue from repetitive tasks but finds camaraderie as coworkers encourage breaks and social interaction.

Navigating Social Situations

• Lunchtime anxiety is expressed as the speaker feels intimidated by eating alone among colleagues but seeks comfort in familiar spaces.