The symbol found in Sally's story is shoes, which represent a sense of sexuality and adult femininity. It also symbolizes Esperanza's sexuality and her internal conflict between her feelings between her emerging sexual attractiveness and her desire for independence. When Esperanza wants to be friends with Sally, who is sexually mature, she describes Sally's black suede shoes and wonders if she can convince her mother to buy her a similar pair. When Sally abandons Esperanza in the monkey garden to fool around with the boys, Esperanza thinks her feet look foreign. Finally, in Esperanza's vision of her dream house, her shoes are placed next to the bed, suggesting that she has or will have some control over her sexuality, only in her imagination. The next character is Rafaela, Esperanza's neighbor who lives on the upper floor. She is locked in the room by her husband because she is so beautiful that her husband is afraid she will run away. He always leans against the window, listening to the music from the bar around the corner, wishing he could go there and dance. This shows that Rafaela longs for the freedom she will never get. She occasionally asks Esperanza to buy her coconut or papaya juice by throwing down a dollar bill and then carrying the juice up using a paper bag and cloth rope. Rafaela represents the possible fate of what Mango Street could become. Rafaela is forced to abandon her dreams because of her husband. The only little freedom he has is when he daydreams in front of the window listening to music. Rafaela is stuck in an oppressive relationship, where her husband has complete control, because she only knows this type of relationship. Therefore, despite everything, Rafaela is always tied...... middle of paper......soon, everyone perceives writing as a way to escape from reality, as well as a way to express themselves, their dreams and desires. In conclusion, “The House on Mango Street” manifests the differences between the roles of men and women in Mexican culture through Esperanza's point of view. All the female characters mentioned in the story are oppressed and overpowered by men, be they husbands, fathers or even sons. The story is both surprising and emotional, as it strikingly reveals Esperanza's growth process by observing and learning valuable life lessons from her neighbors. These women are portrayed as a negative role model for Esperanza. Unfortunately, most of them give her an example of a person she doesn't want to become. Yet, these women teach Esperanza many life experiences and also play an important role in shaping her identity.