As children get older, their responsibilities and realizations about the world begin to differ. We always wish for things we don't have, and as a kid you may not really realize as to why you may not have it. These are the same feelings and wishes that young Esperanza in Cisneros's "The House on Mango Street" goes through on a daily basis throughout her childhood. In a passage from the book, Esperanza expresses her dream to one day move away from her old house on Mango Street. This dream remains prominent throughout the book. It is only till the very end when a nun walks by and asks the girl about her house, that Esperanza finally realizes that she is poor. And that she is not like the other children who can get all the nice things. You cannot just win the lottery by asking nicely. Esperanza longs for a better life, but the harsh reality of the "real world".
"Beneath his dreaming tree
Conquered fear to climb
A moment froze in time"
Conquered fear to climb
A moment froze in time"
-Dave Matthews Band - "The Dreaming Tree"
It is only till the very end when a nun walks by and asks Esperanza about her house, that she finally realizes that she is poor. She is not like the other children who can get all the nicer things in life. You cannot just win her concept of "the lottery" by asking nicely.
"No matter what the world
You'll always be my baby
Mommy come quick
The dreaming tree has died"
You'll always be my baby
Mommy come quick
The dreaming tree has died"
One of the themes of the book is "a loss of innocence". Esperanza's dreaming tree of her childhood has died, and it is now time for her to explore the harsh realities of the real world.
Dying dreams suggests a very sad, gloomy, and solemn tone. Is that the tone of the song as well?
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