What are two examples of figurative language in the vignettes "Alicia Who Sees Mice" and "A Rice Sandwich" from The House on Mango Street?

Figurative language is when an author uses specific tools, or devices, to help readers understand the story or connect with characters on a deeper level. A few examples of figurative language include the following: metaphors, similes, imagery, personification, symbolism, and allusions. Cisneros uses symbolism and allusionsto help readers identify with people's specific daily activities in the vignettes "Alicia Who Sees Mice" and "A Rice Sandwich." First, in "Alicia Who Sees Mice," an allusion to a...

Figurative language is when an author uses specific tools, or devices, to help readers understand the story or connect with characters on a deeper level. A few examples of figurative language include the following: metaphors, similes, imagery, personification, symbolism, and allusions. Cisneros uses symbolism and allusions to help readers identify with people's specific daily activities in the vignettes "Alicia Who Sees Mice" and "A Rice Sandwich." First, in "Alicia Who Sees Mice," an allusion to a common saying is twisted to fit Alicia's home situation. The common expression, "A woman's place is in the home," becomes the following:

"And anyway, a woman's place is sleeping so she can wake up early with the tortilla star . . ." (31).

With this sentence, not only does the allusion imply that a woman's place is in the home, but Alicia's Latin heritage comes into play as she must rise with the "tortilla star." This star symbolizes the notion that Hispanic women should wake up early to make tortillas for their children's lunches. In Alicia's case, she wakes up early to make tortillas for her younger siblings because her mother is dead. Hence, the allusion to a popular expression is paired with a symbol from Alicia's culture which represents making tortillas early in the morning for her family. 

Then in "A Rice Sandwich," Esperanza identifies special kids who get to sit in the canteen for lunch with the keys they wear around their necks. Apparently, these kids with the dangling keys live too far away to walk home for lunch, or their mothers aren't home. Esperanza wants to be special, too, and eat in the canteen rather than walk a few blocks home for lunch each day. Esperanza says the following about the kids with keys:

"The special kids, the ones who wear keys around their necks, get to eat in the canteen. The canteen! Even the name sounds important" (43).

The symbolism of eating in the lunchroom with the students who have keys around their necks represents being important.

Another allusion used in this vignette refers to the movie 300 Spartans, which the boys at school identify with being strong. Esperanza does not feel strong; therefore, she wishes to stay at school to eat lunch rather than brave the weather during her walks home for lunch each day.

After Sister Superior tells Esperanza that she can't stay for lunch each day, the canteen suddenly loses its importance, and she says that it is "nothing special" anymore (45). It can be inferred, then, that Esperanza doesn't feel strong, special, or important because of the symbolic allusions referenced throughout the vignette that apparently do not apply to her.