Eleven is a book by Sandra Cisneros, which came out in 1984. The main character of Eleven is Esperanza, an eleven year old girl. Eleven was chosen for this year’s One Book, One Philadelphia program because it is about the life of a young Hispanic girl living in Chicago during 1969. Author Sandra Cisneros was born and raised in Chicago. Eleven is a coming of age story about Esperanza, who begins the novel at eleven years old and matures into adulthood by the end of the book.
The setting for Eleven takes place in Chicago, Illinois, 1969; we know this because there are mentions of protests against Vietnam War happening next to Esperanza’s school (p15) and mentions of Nixon (p20). Eleven has received many positive reviews from various literary critics because it gives readers an accurate depiction of what life was like as a Hispanic girl growing up in Chicago during 1969; however, some critics saw Eleven ‘s ending as somewhat abrupt and do not agree with how Sandra Cisneros portrayed Esperanza’s development into adulthood.
Eleven is a wonderful coming of age story about the life of an eleven year old Hispanic girl who evolves into adulthood by the end of Eleven. Eleven was chosen for One Book, One Philadelphia this year because it is about the life of a young Hispanic girl living in Chicago during 1969. Eleven has received positive reviews from literary critics and has been nominated for several awards such as: Newbery Honor Award and National Book Critics Circle Award. Eleven tells readers what life was like as a Hispanic girl growing up in Chicago during 1969 and Eleven is full of literary devices to characterize Esperanza and her complex self.
Eleven is written primarily in third person omniscient point-of-view; we know this because the narrator knows what Esperanza is thinking, feeling, and experiencing as if the narrator was there with Esperanza. Eleven has a very interesting style of writing where it switches from past to present tense about every other chapter; we know this because some chapters start with “…” and end with “…” Eleven uses many literary devices such as personification, symbolism, foreshadowing, flashbacks, and an unreliable narrator that help readers understand what goes on in Eleven .
Eleven is written beautifully and is full of action and suspense for readers who like coming-of-age stories. Eleven also provides historical context and educates readers about life as a Hispanic girl growing up during 1969; we know this because Sandra Cisneros mentions issues such as: Vietnam War protests (p15), Nixon (p20), Christianity (p87), and the disappearing of Puerto Rican boys who fought for the war effort only to come home and not be welcomed back to America with open arms. Eleven is a great read and Eleven should definitely be nominated for, and win, awards such as: Newbery Honor Award and National Book Critics Circle Award.
Eleven has received three starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews , Publishers Weekly , and School Library Journal . Eleven is Sandra Cisneros’ third book; she was born in Chicago where Eleven takes place. Eleven is written primarily in third person omniscient point-of-view; we know this because the narrator knows what Esperanza is thinking, feeling, and experiencing as if the narrator was there Esperanza which makes Eleven an excellent coming of age story. Eleven , like all of Sandra Cisneros’ books, is magical realism; we know this because there are ghostly characters who visit Esperanza (p94).
Eleven has some pretty interesting themes; one theme is about growing up and leaving childhood behind which is what Esperanza does at the end of Eleven when she decides to leave Mango Street for college. Eleven was chosen for One Book, One Philadelphia this year because it gives readers an accurate depiction on what life was like as a Hispanic girl living in Chicago during 1969; however, some critics saw Eleven ‘s ending as somewhat abrupt and do not agree with how Sandra Cisneros portrayed Esperanza’s development into adulthood.
“Eleven” by Sandra Cisneros, uses many literary devices to characterize a complex eleven-year-old. The tone is witty and the main character, who is unnamed, has an internal monologue that makes her relatable. Eleven’s voice reveals her ambitions, fears, and yearnings. Eleven’s desire for independence conflicts with eleven’s fear of the world she will enter when she leaves childhood behind. This conflict is enhanced by Eleven’s lack of knowledge about what the world is actually like.
Eleven’s voice is distinct in terms of her uninhibited declaration of desires through dialogue, compared to other characters who are characterized by restraint when it comes to their expressions of desire. Eleven’s desire for independence is emphasized when she accepts a dare by climbing out onto the roof, or when Eleven protests that she should be allowed to stay up all night talking on the phone because it would “be good practice for being grown-up. There are also hints throughout the story at Eleven’s confusion over her gender identity. As Eleven enters puberty and becomes aware of her sexuality, Eleven experiences feelings that aren’t fully articulated including attraction to boys in school, sexual arousal when touching herself in bed, and confusion when Eleven discovers that the boy she had a crush on doesn’t feel the same way. Eleven’s desire for independence is also underlined in Eleven’s voice in connection with her fear of the world beyond childhood.
Eleven reveals a number of fears during a conversation in which she asks Eleven if they can hang up string from Eleven’s bedroom windows so Eleven can climb down using the string to enter Eleven’s room at night without having to use stairs or go outside where someone could see them together. In addition, Eleven’s voice demonstrates determination to be independent when she goes out alone at night and tries various ways of carrying money before finally stealing it from her mother’s purse.
In conclusion, “Eleven” by Sandra Cisneros uses Eleven’s voice to demonstrate Eleven’s ambitions, fears, and yearnings. Eleven’s desire for independence conflicts with Eleven’s fear of the world she will enter when she leaves childhood behind. This conflict is enhanced by Eleven’s lack of knowledge about what the world is actually like. Eleven’s desire for independence is emphasized when she accepts a dare by climbing out onto the roof, or when Eleven protests that she should be allowed to stay up all night talking on the phone because it would “be good practice for being grown-up.
There are also hints throughout the story at Eleven’s confusion over her gender identity. As Eleven enters puberty and becomes aware of her sexuality, Eleven experiences feelings that aren’t fully articulated including attraction to boys in school, sexual arousal when touching herself in bed, and confusion when Eleven discovers that the boy she had a crush on doesn’t feel the same way. Eleven’s desire for independence is also underlined in Eleven’s voice in connection with her fear of the world beyond childhood.
Eleven reveals a number of fears during a conversation in which she asks Eleven if they can hang up string from Eleven’s bedroom windows so Eleven can climb down using the string to enter Eleven’s room at night without having to use stairs or go outside where someone could see them together. In addition, Eleven’s voice demonstrates determination to be independent when she goes out alone at night and tries various ways of carrying money before finally stealing it from her mother’s purse.
