The House on Mango Street Chapter 38 - The Monkey Garden

The Monkey Garden is near Esperanza's house on Mango Street and is a place she loves to hide in. Things always seem to get lost there and that is why she likes it so much. One day while she is playing in the garden with Sally, she is frustrated and angry because some of the boys stole Sally's keys. The only way to retrieve them was for her to leave with them and give each one a kiss. Sally happily abides, as Esperanza runs to tell Tito's mother, one of the boys who is taunting her. When she tells his mother, the mother continues ironing, thinking Esperanza silly. Esperanza races back to the garden with twigs and a brick, destined to save her dear friend. However, when she gets there, they all tell her to go away and that she is crazy. At this point, Esperanza feels embarrassed, terrified, and alone. She blacks out being raped, but regains consciousness and sees her dress all green and her shoes all dirty.

"I looked at my feet in their white socks and ugly round shoes. They seemed far away. They didn't seem to be my feet anymore. And the garden that had been such a good place to play didn't' seem mine either." Chapter 38, pg. 98

Topic Tracking: Sexuality 6