I chose to do my playlist on this novel by Sandra Cisneros, because I have a intense interest in Hispanic Culture, especially the study of the transitions that hispanic children born in the United States undergo upon trying to fit in with the new culture in which they are being raised, while at the same time trying to remain loyal to the culture of the mother country. The playlist should basically reflect the mood of the narrator, Esmerelda, through the moods of the songs. The mood begins as somber, depressive, and helpless at the beginning of the playlist, because this is the way Esperanza feels. She feels that she is stuck in a rut that she may never escape trapped in an ugly, cheap house with a family that does not understand her, or her desires to do more than just be a housewife. She undergoes several coming-of-age experiences throughout the novel, which I have tried to document via the songs, finally coming to the realization that she absolutely does not belong in the environment in which she is growing up. However, there is not much she can do, simply because of her age. Therefore, she undergoes an intense episode of anger and frustration, hence the Linkin Park song at the end which screams about the frustration of feeling that you do not belong anywhere. This is revolutionary for Esperanza, since she is rebelling against her family and friends in the neighborhood. I have not quite decided what type of song to put at the end of the playlist, but it needs to be much more tranquil and satisfied, reflective of one who finally realizes that things change, and bad situations are not forever. It should be the indicator of a newfound hope for the future.

Chapter One The House on Mango Street
Dido Life for Rent

I chose this song because it really seems to reflect the way Esperanza feels in the first chapter of the book when she talks about how many times her family has moved from house to house. She recalls earlier residences, and problems with them, such as robberies, leaky faucets, etc. The tone of the song corresponds to the mellow, somewhat melancholy attitude that Esperanza has about her housem yet the simplicity of the lyrics reflects the simplicity of the childish diction used by Esperanza to describe her situation.

"I knew then I had to have a house. A real house. One I could point to. But this isn't it. The house on Mango Street isn't it. For the time being, Mama says. Temporary, says Papa. But I know how those things go." -Ezperanza, Chapter 1 Page 5

Chapter 12 Those Who Don't
Garth Brooks "We Shall Be Free"



At this point in the book, we can see the first instance of racial tension between the hispanic and white neighborhoods. I chose this song to go along with this section of the book, because it deals with racial issues and it is upbeat yet frustrated, kind of like Esperanza when she describes the situation. She doesn't seem particularly affected by the inability to mesh of the different ethnic neighborhoods, but at the same time, she realizes that it is somewhat ridiculous the way that the two groups behave when they come in contact with each other.

"All brown all around, we are safe. But watch us drive into a neighborhood of another color and our knees go shakity-shake and our car windows get rolled up tight and our eyes look straight. Yeah. That is how it goes and goes." -Esperanza Chapter 12, pg. 28

Chapter 13 There Was an Old Woman
Aventura "Amor de Madre"

At this point of the book, we can see the embodiment of an all-too-typical situation in the urban hispanic barrios. The classic disfunctional family where the father abandons the mother with the children, and then she ends up losing control over them and eventually gives up trying to raise them at all. "Amor de Madre" by Aventura describes a perfect example of the same situation, of a mother whose husband abandons her while she is pregnant, and although she tries to be a good influence on her son, the pressure of being mother and father proves to be too much, and she is unable to maintain him out of trouble, and he eventually ends up in jail for murder. Although the situation described in The House on Mango Street is not quite so extreme, it is the same general idea, except it is about a woman who lives in Esperanza's neighborhood. However, one of her sons did jump out of a window to his death.

Chapter 15 Darius and the Clouds
Louis Armstrong "What a Wonderful World"

Darius is a classmate of Esperanza's who although is a pain towards everyone else in the class all of the time, teasing and taunting the girls, when he looks up into the sky he is strangely mesmerized, completely enthralled with the beatuy of nature. His annoying, boyish ways are replaced by traits of someone who is contemplative and spiritual. Darius believes that God exists in one of the clouds that he sees above. For obvious reasons, I chose "What a Wonderful World" for this part of the story, since the voice of the song seems to do exactly the same thing that Darius does; appreciate the immaculate beauty of nature and life, those things that most people ignore on a daily basis.

Chapter 17 The Family of Little Feet
Deanna Carter "Strawberry Wine"

In this chapter of the book, Esperanza becomes aware of her blooming sexuality for the first time. A family in her neighborhood is known for its small feet. Esperanza visits the lady and the lady gives her a pair of high heels, which Esperanza has never worn before. She likes the way they make her legs look, and even gets much attention on the street, but when a homeless person tries to offer her a dollar for a kiss, she is all of a sudden disenchanted with her newfound appeal and takes off the shoes and they sit around until her mother throws them away. The song "Strawberry Wine" also talks about the coming of age, the loss of sexual innocence, and therefore I felt it appropriate for this part of the book, especially since it emphazises, the bittersweetness of it, the good and the bad, which is exactly what Esperanza is coming to terms with at this point in her life.

Chapter 22 Papa Who Wakes Up Tired in the Dark
John Mayer "Daughters"

This is the point in the story when Esperanza's Grandfather dies suddenly, and her father wakes her up in the middle of the night sobbing. This touching part of the story emphasizes the relationship between father and daugher, and the uniqueness of that relationship. This song by John Mayer also preaches the importance of having a good relationship with your parents, especially between fathers and daughters.

"Fathers, be good to your daughters.
Daughters will love like you do." -John Mayer

Chapter 43 A House of My own
Linkin Park Somewhere I Belong

In this point in the story, Esperanza becomes fed up with her life and her home and decides that she wants her own house where she will be allowed to do whatever she wants and no one will tell her how to clean it. I chose this song because it expresses a sense of wanting to belong, and a frustration with the current situation. It also sounds angry, just as Esperanza seems in this chapter.