Four Unneeded Trees.

Prompt: In "Four Skinny Trees" the speaker uses an extended metaphor to compare herself with the trees. Explain how the extended metaphor works and how the author uses this metaphor to develop a theme in the story.  

  

The speaker of the short story, "Four Skinny Trees” uses an extended metaphor to express two main themes of overcoming obstacles and not belonging or conforming to society's standards. "Four who grew despite concrete. Four who reach and do not forget to reach. Four whose only reason is to be and be. (Cisneros) The trees overcome an obstacle of concrete (literally speaking) which relates to Esperanza and her siblings overcoming childhood difficulties which are holding them down. The concrete in her life could perhaps be her parents; they are not providing stable conditions for a proper childhood for their children. "Four who do not belong here but are here. Four raggedy excuses planted by the city. (Cisneros) These four trees obviously do not belong here and are not acknowledged for their own true, individual purposes. The family does not conform to society's high standards regarding living environments and success. These four skinny trees are indeed metaphoric in expressing Esperanza's faith and capability of overcoming obstacles and not belonging in or conforming to a society.