El Mangle and Letters From New York Summary and Analysis

In "El Mangle," Ramona and the children arrive in El Mangle at the home of Ramona's friend. The house is on a pier and there's a hole in the floor in the bathroom that serves as a commode. Esmeralda is terrified by the rushing water beneath her and the cold drafts and refuses to go there, urinating in her clothes when she and her mother have a heated argument over the situation. Dona Andrea watches the children while Ramona searches for a job. They aren't allowed outside because they are literally on a pier and have no place to play.

Ramona makes plans to rent the house next to Dona Andrea and Esmeralda starts school to find out that she's expected to know fractions and doesn't. She hates the...