Idioms are a use of words peculiar to a given language. It is an expression that cannot be translated literally. Throughout the book, there are many common idiomatic phrases that serve as a kind of shorthand. Sandra Cisneros has Esperanza utilize these phrases. They help to briefly elucidate the message the author is trying to convey, without him or her having to elaborate and go into depth on the subject. Four idiomatic phrases in the story that Cisneros has Esperanza employ to provide a better understanding of what she means to tell the reader about Esperanza herself are, "But I know how those things go" (Cisneros 5), "people like us" (13), "We take what we can get and make the most of it" (33), and "same story" (85).
The first idiomatic phrase "But I know how those things go" (5) is used after Esperanza talks about having "a real house" (5) and her parents say the house on Mango Street is for the time being and is temporary. The expression basically signifies that people say they will do something but it never happens. Esperanza means that even though her parents say they will move to a better house, she knows the reality is that it will most likely never occur. This is so, because she's aware of the situation and circumstances she is in, which is poverty. Furthermore, she knows her parents only wish and dream they had a better house, because "this was the house talked about when he held a lottery ticket" (4). Through this idiomatic phrase, Cisneros tries to tell the reader that Esperanza is just an unfortunate girl from a poor family who is losing hope in the pursuit of a better life.
Secondly, Esperanza says the phrase "people like us" (13) after her friend, Cathy talks about having to move because "the is getting bad" (13). This phrase is referring to Esperanza and her family moving into Mango Street, and that they are the reason Cathy must move. Esperanza means by this phrase that Latino people like her and her family are automatically characterized and distinguished as being scandalous, dangerous, and indecent, by people such as Cathy's family who represent decent, civilized white folks. In addition, people like Cathy's family are scared because "They think will attack them with shiny knives" (28). The author is essentially trying to inform the reader that Esperanza is stereotyped just for being Latina due to the fact that Latinos carry a bad reputation in general.
The idiomatic phrase "We take what we can get and make the most of it" (33) is used by Esperanza when she expresses that "here there is too much sadness and not enough sky" (33) and that most beautiful things are not abundant. She is trying to say that despite all the problems and sorrow they endure, they strive to cope with it and embrace all the good joyful things in life. Cisneros means to tell the reader that Esperanza is aware of and realizes all the conflicts and sadness that surrounds her. Furthermore, she learns to grasp, appreciate, and make the best of the few butterflies and flowers, which symbolize the precious moments and happiness in her life.
Finally, "same story" (85) is an idiomatic phrase that Esperanza uses to describe the conflict involving Minerva and her husband "who left and keeps leaving" (85). Basically, the situation is that her husband leaves, and then comes back that night asking her to forgive him and subsequently the next day he is out the door again. Esperanza employs this phrase because this problem between Minerva and her husband occurs so frequently and it is always similar every time. The author tries to explain that Esperanza herself is so used to hearing the same conflict between these two people that she just regards it as "same story" (85) because it is literally the same problem every week and she is already expecting it. She uses that phrase to indicate that it is just the usual, nothing out of the ordinary.
In summary, the four idiomatic phrases Cisneros employs through Esperanza are applied to offer a succinct understanding of the text, as well as what she means to tell the reader about Esperanza herself. These phrases assist in effectively expressing the message the author is trying to relay. In fact, through these idiomatic phrases, Cisneros indicates how people are stereotypical towards Esperanza and other Latinas like her and how depressing and difficult life is for her. Yet despite all that, she still manages to "make the best of it" (33). The common idiomatic phrases the author uses, serve as a kind of shorthand throughout the book. A use of words peculiar to a given language and expressions that can't be translated literally can be defined as idioms, which the author, Sandra Cisneros, uses to her advantage.
Cisneros, Sandra. The House On Mango Street.
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