Sandra Cisneros continually displays the complex and introspective thoughts of Rachel through her perception of growing older. Rachel’s unique view of age and birthdays is introduced in the first sentence, “What they don’t understand about birthdays and what they never tell you is that when you’re eleven, you’re also ten, and nine, and eight...and one.” This describes how Rachel sees age as less of being the age you are, but more of a collection of your previous ages as you grow older. Similar phrases echoing this idea are seen throughout the short story. When introducing her view on getting older she describes how sometimes “ ...you will need to cry like if you’re three, and that’s okay.” In trying to respond to Sylvia’s claim that the ugly sweater is hers, Rachel …show more content…
However, as Rachel recounts her unpleasant experience on her birthday at school, it becomes apparent that she is still an ordinary child, who likes toys, and is afraid of speaking up. Through the short story “Eleven,” the distressing ordeals of Rachel teach the reader that introspection and thought will only be made most valuable through being able to communicate with others, and yet, everything comes with