Chanclas Summary

Esperanza sees her mother all dressed nicely in a new dress, as they go to a distant cousin's wedding. Esperanza is embarrassed by her large feet, and constantly looks down to the ground to make sure they are not causing too much trouble. She hears her Uncle Nacho talking about her mother. He asks her to dance, but she says no. She hears everyone around her laughing and having fun. However, Esperanza is nervous to dance and relax, because she is wearing a new dress, new underclothes, new everything, except for her brown everyday shoes. Uncle Nacho pulls her to the dance floor, where she spins and spins, feeling the music enter her. When the song ends, she can feel everyone watching her dance, with her big brown ordinary shoes leading her.

Chanclas Analysis

Esperanza is still trying to fit into society and...