Mango Says Goodbye Sometimes
- In the final chapter of the novel, Esperanza tells us that she likes to tell stories. Then she tells us that she's going to tell us a story "about a girl who didn't want to belong" (44.3).
- Esperanza recounts the many streets on which her family has lived, but says that the place she remembers most is the "sad red house" on Mango Street (44.4).
- Writing helps Esperanza feel better, and helps to free her from her environment. When she puts her experiences down on paper, something strange happens – "Mango says goodbye sometimes" (44.5).
- Does this mean Esperanza isn't on Mango Street anymore? No. She's still stuck there for now. But she writes that "one day [she] will say goodbye to Mango" (44.6).
- Esperanza imagines that her friends and neighbors will wonder where she has gone with her books and paper. They will not know that she has gone away to come back for the people she has left behind.