Sandra Cisneros, an author who is deeply inspired by her Mexican American heritage. This inspiration is clearly shown throughout each and every one of her writing pieces, such as “Salvador Late or Early”, as well as “Eleven”. Both short-stories focus on adolescents with a mature mindset and adult precision, and each story does a marvelous job portraying Cisneros constant writing style. “Salvador Late or Early” is focusing on a young boy, Salvador, with heavy burdens to carry on his shoulders, which is unfortunate because he is such a young boy with an old soul. The responsibilities he has are unimaginable due to the fact they don’t pertain to his age. “Eleven” is a similar story, yet it contrasts in major details. This short-story is about
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It is obviously present in both short-stories that these literary devices are favored by Cisneros, and she uses them to contribute to her consistent writing style. In “Salvador Late or Early”, characterization is perceptible throughout the piece. Cisneros utilizes vivid details about Salvador which supports his character as well as the role he plays in the short-story. In the very beginning, characterization is clearly shown: “Salvador with eyes of the color of a caterpillar, Salvador of the crooked hair and crooked teeth, Salvador whose name the teacher cannot remember, is a boy who is no one’s friend.” (Paragraph 1) Not only does this characterize Salvador and give the reader a visual in their mind, but it also consists of diction. The name “Salvador” in Spanish means “savior”. It is quite clear throughout the rest of the short-story that Salvador is the savior of his family. To support this claim, in paragraph 1, lines 5, 6, and 7 it states: “shakes the sleepy brothers awake, ties their shoes, combs their hair with water, feeds them milk and corn flakes from a tin cup in the dark morning.” Another line of support comes from paragraph 1, lines 2 and 3: “Helps his mama, who is busy with the business of the baby. Tugs the arms of Cecilio, Arturito, makes them hurry,” After reading this short-story, one can infer that Salvador’s family struggles with poverty, and the burden falls on him to be responsible of everything his mama is unable to do. However, the burden is too heavy to carry on “that forty-pound body of boy with its geography of scars, history of hurt, limbs stuffed with feathers and rags,” (Paragraph 2, lines 2 and 3) Due to his responsibilities, his childhood was basically stolen. The characterization of Salvador helps the reader to understand why it’s so difficult for him to be responsible of these tasks, and the
It is obviously present in both short-stories that these literary devices are favored by Cisneros, and she uses them to contribute to her consistent writing style. In “Salvador Late or Early”, characterization is perceptible throughout the piece. Cisneros utilizes vivid details about Salvador which supports his character as well as the role he plays in the short-story. In the very beginning, characterization is clearly shown: “Salvador with eyes of the color of a caterpillar, Salvador of the crooked hair and crooked teeth, Salvador whose name the teacher cannot remember, is a boy who is no one’s friend.” (Paragraph 1) Not only does this characterize Salvador and give the reader a visual in their mind, but it also consists of diction. The name “Salvador” in Spanish means “savior”. It is quite clear throughout the rest of the short-story that Salvador is the savior of his family. To support this claim, in paragraph 1, lines 5, 6, and 7 it states: “shakes the sleepy brothers awake, ties their shoes, combs their hair with water, feeds them milk and corn flakes from a tin cup in the dark morning.” Another line of support comes from paragraph 1, lines 2 and 3: “Helps his mama, who is busy with the business of the baby. Tugs the arms of Cecilio, Arturito, makes them hurry,” After reading this short-story, one can infer that Salvador’s family struggles with poverty, and the burden falls on him to be responsible of everything his mama is unable to do. However, the burden is too heavy to carry on “that forty-pound body of boy with its geography of scars, history of hurt, limbs stuffed with feathers and rags,” (Paragraph 2, lines 2 and 3) Due to his responsibilities, his childhood was basically stolen. The characterization of Salvador helps the reader to understand why it’s so difficult for him to be responsible of these tasks, and the