The Importance Of Imagery In 'Red Clowns'

Prompt 1: Identify an instance where Cisneros uses powerful imagery. Explain the effect of that imagery upon the reader. Remember that imagery can appeal to any of the senses, including sight, sound, taste, smell, or touch.
Throughout this book, there are many instances where the author, Cisneros uses powerful imagery. For example, in the vignette called Hairs, Esperanza describes each one of her family members hairs. While describing her mother’s hair, she describes her hair as freshly baked bread. She continues to add smell and touch into her description saying that her mom’s hair is “ the warm smell of bread before you bake it, is the smell when she makes room for you on her side of the bed still warm with her skin” (7). The effects of this imagery is that it paints a picture into a reader’s mind, seeing and smelling baked bread. In conclusion, the imagery of smell and touch help intensify the actions within the vignette.

Prompt 2: Select an example of a simile, metaphor, or symbol that stands out to you.

We know Esperanza goes to a carnival or amusement park with Sally and that she enjoys watching Sally on the rides. Sally is being careless about Esperanza, and then she disappears with a boy leaving Esperanza alone. While Esperanza waits for Sally to return, a group of boys attacks and sexually assault Esperanza. The event is nothing like sexual encounters Esperanza has seen in the movies or in magazines and articles, or even like what Sally has told her. She becomes traumatized and keeps hearing the voice of the boys saying, “I love you, Spanish girl” (100) mockingly. She blames Sally for abandoning her and not being there to save her, and her anger spreads to everyone who have not told her what sex and rape is really