esperanza was a strong-willed girl who dreams big even with her surroundings and restrictions. she represents the females of her poor neighborhood who wish to change and better themselves. she desires sexuality and autonomy of marriage. she hoped to break the typical life cycle of the woman in her family and neighborhood. she went through many different changes in identity and maturity. esperanza was pressured into changing herself because of her sexually bold friend, sally. sally would always put her in situations by lying to her or abandoning her. she would put esperanza in situations where she feels ashamed and uncomfortable being in her own skin and not understanding how sally acts with boys. 

although she did also have positive influences, like her neighbor Alicia who is a college student who eventually becomes her good friend. Alicia is the daughter of a widowed Latino father which means she was doing all of the housework, she lived in a run-down apartment but even though she was always busy and tired she still made time to talk to esperanza.

esperanzas name means hope. she was always hopeful. she always hoped for a lot of things. she wanted to escape mango street.