NovelGuide: The House on Mango Street: Novel Summary: Our Good Day

Select a Chapter:

Our Good Day

Summary
Esperanza meets two girls who have moved to Chicago from Texas named Lucy and Rachel-the two girls, presumably, whom Cathy told her to avoid-and purchases a bicycle with them. Esperanza's share is five dollars, which she contributes by adding two of Nenny's dollars to three of her own: "She's not home, but I'm sure she'll be glad when she finds out we own a bike." The three girls, the new friends, ride their bicycle around the block, laughing happily.
 
Analysis
In contrast to the previous vignette, Esperanza now makes some real friends. The friendship helps to make Esperanza's life on Mango Street more pleasant, as symbolized by the bicycle ride. Even as the girls pedal "[p]ast my house, sad and red and crumbly. down the avenue which is dangerous," they can laugh, enjoying each other and enjoying life. These moments of joy punctuate the novel, signaling to the reader-as Esperanza will discover by the book's end-that Mango Street is not all about sadness. It is real life, which includes sorrow and joy, anger and love, despair and hope.