“Born Bad” was the vignette that surprised me the most. It astounded me by contrasting childhood innocence with unintended cruelty. The children’s innocent game became insensitive as they imitated their sick Aunt Lupe. The unexpected shift from innocence to unintentional cruelty was shocking, highlighting the complexities of empathy and understanding in children.
“A Smart Cookie” intrigued me deeply. It got me thinking about Esperanza’s mom and all the things she could’ve done. Her dreams and talents, they were something else. Yet, here she is, living a life that doesn’t quite match up to all she could be. But what struck me most was her encouragement for Esperanza. She’s pushing her daughter to learn, to write, maybe hoping she’ll get what she didn’t. That mix of her potential and the limitations she faces, it just made her feel so real, like someone with dreams left unexplored.
The vignette that puzzled me was “Geraldo No Last Name.” What struck me was how nobody seemed to care. He’s just another immigrant, and society doesn’t even bat an eye. Marin, this girl who knew him from a dance, can’t even explain who he was. It’s like immigrants are invisible, facing this indifferent, cold world. Reading that, I couldn’t help but question how society treats people who aren’t seen as part of the ‘in’ crowd. It left me feeling pretty shaken up about how we value some lives over others.
