Robinson

Brianna Robinson
Ms. Woelke
ERWC
22 April 2015
The Layers of Rachel: Eleven
Young minds are fearful and reluctant to endure the unknown challenges that the future
holds for them. Throughout Sandra Cisneros short story, Eleven, she attempts to recognize the
internal struggles and hardships that people try to cope with as they mature. Through the lense of
the speaker, Rachel, Cisneros exposes the speakers insecurities and fragile nature through the
use of repetition and underlying symbolism.
Rachel is constantly reminded-by her own thoughts-of the idea that within her lies not
only an eleven-year-old girl, but one who is also the ages before then. She combats the emotional
stages tied to being ten, and nine, and ,eight, and seven, and so on in desperation to know how
to approach a situation that requires the wisdom and strength that live in persons much older than
she. (Cisneros 1). Bounded by feelings and emotions that form through these years, Rachel is
unable to escape the parts of her that she wishes would cease to exist. As she continuously
reminds herself that she is not only eleven, the years behind her slowly strip away and unmask
the emotional turmoil that came with each age.Eventually, the taunting cries of a three-year-old
yelling not mine, not mine, not mine catches up to her eleven-year-old self, and compromises
whether or not she can handle growing another year older (Cisneros 2). As a stressful situation
provokes her frustration, she loses another layer of her unguarded years after every not mine.
Cisneros strategically does this to represent the determination, or in this case, the stubbornness of
a child. Like children, this sense of persistence continues as Rachel continues to grow and face
problems that may not be in her favor. Although Rachel wants the willpower to face such

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unfavorable situations, she is reminded by this outburst that she is more than just eleven-yearsold.
Furthermore, Cisneros uses symbolism to reveal more of the speakers sensitive and
immature character. Rachels ability to see an ugly sweater thats raggedy and old (Cisneros
1) as a big red mountain (Cisneros 2) mirrors the idea that she views conquering the years of
her existence as a difficult obstacle in order for her to truly be the age of her longing. Being
unable to remove the sweater from her presence also symbolizes how she cant avoid fighting
back the years of her past from popping up in her future. The struggle to dispose this baggage
that weighs on her shoulders maximizes the reality of her situation, and thus making the
problem, of the random jacket and of her built-up emotions, bigger than it should be. Cisneros
emphasizes this internal sense of discontent through the color of the jacket, as well. Red,
representing passion and anger, reflects her own feelings toward her inability to control her
emotions; the bright, obscene color depicts how her feelings are difficult to conceal and hide. By
pushing aside her problem, Rachels emotions hang on a thread over the edge like a waterfall
(Cisneros 2). Not only does the jacket risk falling off the desk, but her bottled-up emotions risk
spilling out in the open. The overpowering flood of commotion pushes her to the edge. Rachel
can only hold back for so long until her insecurities overflow, just like the pushing away of the
jacket.
In Eleven, Cisneros reveals the childish sense of self-doubt that prevails from the
speakers character. Through the use of symbolism and repetition, the author goes in depth to
portray a determined, yet weak and vulnerable child. As each year passes, people, like Rachel,
attempt to overcome the unavoidable years buried into their lives.