Third Level Essay

"Little miracles, kept promises"

"Little miracles, kept promises" by Sandra Cisneros presents a recompilation of short letters written by different "chicana" cultured people. In this letters we can see that this people are giving thanks or asking for help, which are the variables that we are analyzing. The purpose of this essay is to compare and understand why people of this culture is so used to talk to different "santos" depending on their needs.

In the first paragraph of the reading there is a small letter from a family, Familia Arteaga, giving thanks to "La Virgen de Guadalupe" because they saved their lives from a bus accident "Thanks to La Virgen de Guadalupe we are alive, all of us miraculously unharmed, and wit no visible scars, except we are afraid to ride buses." (Familia Arteaga, pg. 116). It can be inferred that some people just feel grateful when something wrong happens that ends up not that bad or just right.

The people that ask for things its because they feel in the very need of divine help or support, but this family felt that they already received it which is why they are not asking for anything else, in fact they just feel like giving thanks. "We dedicate this retablo to La Virgencita with our affection and gratitude and our everlasting faithЁ. (Familia Arteaga, pg.116). The "retablo" is a sign that they are going to be grateful forever.

In the second reading there is a lady who is asking for the good of other people, she does not ask for any material needs or personal profits. "Look favorably on this petition and bless, that I may continue to glorify your deeds with all my heart- santisimo Niсo Fidencio, gran General Pancho Villa, bandito Don Pedrito, virtuoso John F. Kennedy, and blessed Pope John Paul. Amen." (Gertrudis Parra, 119).

Also, we can see in the second reading that the person is asking for strength and peace of spirit in order to follow the right path. "Oh Mighty Poderosos... I ask for peace of spirit and prosperity, and that the demons in my path are the cause of all my woes be removed so that they no longer torment me. Look favorably on this petition and bless me" (Gertrudis Parra, pg. 119). Gertrudis doesn't care for material things she only wants to be strong of spirit and to go in the right path.

In conclusion, Chicana culture