I hated it.

Not every girl I know is a feminist. There are a few and I do know two extreme feminists. The extremists would take the view that in this story the girls were subject to "the male gaze." Let me say something about this. If a woman does not want to be gazed at by a man then don't wear the things that today's culture has deemed sexy or attractive. By doing this, they are contradicting their own beliefs. If television shows, commercials, woman's and men's magazines, and billboards are exposing women or making them appear inferior to men than DON'T BUY IT. The truth is, woman want to feel the way hollywood has made beauty out to be. Our culture says these things are attractive, not men. If the girls that wore those shoes on Mango Street didn't like the results they should have listened to their advisers in the story and not worn them. Strangely, later in the story, she wants more of the same shoes that, again, her mother would not like. The black suede and nylons attract male attention. If you don't like it, don't do it.

That being said, the whole story read like the girl was victim to all the things that happened to her. This is why I didn't care for it. I actually felt like I was reading a story to depress myself. It implied that she had no control of her own life and that her actions were always meant to be judged by men and society. She said she didn't want to "inherit" her grandmothers place by the window which was the idea that she couldn't do all she wanted to do in life because a man took her like a "fancy chandelier." As if this could be inherited! This was a small example of Esperanza thinking her life is to be ever-ruled by men whether subtle or not. There are many more implications from the author through the whole story. If I could talk to Esperanza I would tell her, "If you don't like it change it! Quit sounding so depressed."
A famous comedian agreed that when men approach women, "No means, No!" The skit took place in a club or bar where the woman was dressed like she was in Las Vegas at the ripe age of 21.The woman went on to say that just because she was dressed like this did not mean that she was easy. The comedian continued and said something to the effect of, "Ladies if I were walking down the street in a police officers uniform and some lady came up to me screaming HELP! HELP! That man stole my purse, do you want me to say 'Just because I am dressed this way does not mean that I am a police officer. Hummph!' The comedian said "Ladies that sh** is confusing!" When the bum man offered her a dollar for a kiss it's because she wasn't dressed like a nun! (sorry this wasn't a prompt)