Four Skinny Trees Summary

Esperanza looks to a row of four skinny trees on Mango Street as the only things that understand her. Like Esperanza, they are strong and skinny, with pointy elbows. They do not belong in the neighborhood, just like her. She believes she can hear them speaking, and realizes that Nenny can hear nothing. She knows that their strength is their secret.

"When I am too sad and too skinny to keep keeping, when I am a tiny thing against so many bricks, then it is I look at tress. When there is nothing left to look at on this street. Four who grew despite concrete. Four who reach and do not forget to reach. Four whose only reason is to be and be" (Cisneros, 94).

Four Skinny Trees Analysis

The four skinny trees on Mango Street represent pillars of strength...