The Four Hopeful Trees

In “Four Skinny Trees” Esperanza, the speaker uses an extended metaphor to compare herself and her hardships to the trees hardships. This extended metaphor creates a theme throughout the story to be hopeful and know that other people or things are going through hardships as well. Esperanza says “They are the only ones who understand me. I am the only one who understands them.” This explains the theme by showing that the trees and Esperanza understand each other and rely on each other for strength.“Their strength is secret. They send ferocious roots into the ground. They grow up and they grow down..." Here Esperanza explains the trees extreme strength and determination. "When I am too sad and skinny to keep keeping, when I am a tiny thing against so many bricks ,then it is I look at trees." This shows that Esperanza is hopeful and looks forward to the best in the future.