"Eleven" by Sandra Cisneros is a short story that centers on the theme of identity and self-acceptance. The protagonist, Rachel, is an eleven-year-old girl who is struggling to find her place in the world and to understand who she is as a person.
Throughout the story, Rachel grapples with the expectations and demands placed upon her by the adults in her life, particularly her mother. She is constantly told to "act her age," but she is not sure what this means or how to do it. She is also made to feel ashamed of her appearance and her perceived inadequacies, leading her to feel self-conscious and insecure.
Despite these challenges, Rachel is a resilient and resourceful character who refuses to let these negative messages define her. She finds solace in the small, everyday moments of her life, such as playing with her dolls or spending time with her best friend, Lucy. These moments allow her to escape the expectations of others and to simply be herself.
Ultimately, the theme of "Eleven" is one of self-acceptance and the importance of finding one's own identity. Rachel learns that she does not have to fit into the mold of what others expect her to be, and that it is okay to be different. She also realizes that she is not alone in her struggles and that others, like her friend Lucy, can provide support and understanding.
Through its portrayal of Rachel's journey, "Eleven" encourages readers to embrace their individuality and to be true to themselves, no matter what others may say or think. It is a poignant and relatable reminder that it is only by embracing our own unique identities that we can truly be happy and fulfilled.
Eleven by Sandra Cisneros
Rachel's eleventh birthday does not meet these expectations, causing disappointment, which often marks adulthood. The symbolism of the red sweater is open to interpretation. She has learned that we all carry with us the years that come before, sometimes reverting to the child within us. But when the lesson comes to an end and Mrs Price sees Rachel trying to leave the sweater behind, she forces her to put it on, and Rachel does so, bursting into tears in front of the whole class. Rachel immediately gave the horrid sweater back to its owner. Home as a Refuge Throughout the story, Rachel often thinks about her home, and her family, to help her cope with the upsetting incident with the red sweater.
What is the theme of the story eleven by Sandra Cisneros?
What is the exposition of the story eleven? Parents make the decisions for them because they want the best for their children, and want them to have a good chance to survive in the real world when they reach adulthood. This story is about a bad experience Rachel had on her eleventh birthday. The readers felt afraid that Rachel was going to fall apart. Rachel feels powerless and wishes she was not 11. Turning eleven happens to be a tragic day for the main character, Rachel. No matter how old you get, you will always have moments in your life of insecurity and the feeling of being a child. In addition, in the eleventh story, what does the red sweater mean? Earlier that day, on her eleventh birthday, Rachel had to endure an embarrassing episode at school.
Sandra Cisnerosā Eleven: Summary & Analysis
She explains this as being like "an onion or like the rings inside a tree trunk or like my little wooden dolls that fit one inside the other, each year inside the next one. At the beginning of the story, Rachel reflects on the occasion of her eleventh birthday. At eleven Rachel realizes that with experience comes confidence, personal strength, and most important to her, knowing what to do in hostile situations. Displacement and isolation are two themes that Cisneros makes evident in her work. Additionally, the younger generation felt that the elderly were unproductive and were just extra mouths to feed. Price does not listen to Rachel and dominates their conversations.
