Surprising Vignette: “There Was an Old Woman She Had So Many Children She Didn’t Know What to Do”
Honestly, this part really threw me for a loop. Here, the author talks about Rosa Vargas and her kids who are just running wild because there’s just too many of them and not enough of her to go around. I found it to be rather unexpected that they acted so unrestrainedly, while the surrounding community appeared indifferent towards their behavior. As I mull over specific situations, it dawns on me that each person’s being is singular and exceptional in character. Furthermore, this pondering leads me to question how we interact with those who may experience hardship or adversity within their lives.
Intriguing Vignette: “Geraldo No Last Name”
This story really caught my attention. The focus lies on a guy named Geraldo who tragically loses his life in a hit-and-run incident, leaving him shrouded in mystery as information regarding his identity remains elusive. It made me curious about how many people out there are living lives like Geraldo’s, unknown and unacknowledged. It was a depressing reminder of how many tales, particularly those of immigrants, go unreported every day.
Puzzling Vignette: “Sire”
What puzzles me about this vignette is the contradictory feelings the girls experience. Despite knowing that Sire is seen as bad news by the adults, there’s this pull towards understanding him, an attraction towards the danger he represents. The curiosity towards Sire, imagining what it’s like to be in Lois’s shoes, was a bit surprising. It also made me reflect on how we sometimes gravitate towards the very things we are cautioned against.
One thought on “Ihab Gomaa Week 16 Discussion”
I enjoyed reading your analysis of the the vignettes you chose to discuss, and how the occurrences are relatable to real life, like the sad outcome of Geraldo dying remaining unknown because of his immigration status. You raised an interesting thought as to how people respond to a situation such as seeing a woman who has too many children she cannot control. It is a bit surprising that people act indifferently in “The House on Mango Street.” This community seems pretty tight knit; one may think Rosa would receive some help from a neighbor. I think Cisneros did a wonderful job of highlighting aspects of an insular urban community to really make us think about how people connect to each other in a general sense.