When I Was Puerto Rican

Growing up in Puerto Rico, Esmeralda Santiago experienced life in a variety of ways. Through her book she shares a number of these experiences, many that played an important role in shaping her as an individual. She shows her experiences from the earliest part of her youth through her life as young adult. Of the many experiences Santiago shares, I think here experiences she lives through while living in El Mangle, as well as in …showed first 75 words of 1063 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1063 total…For me, the person I was becoming when we left was erased, and another one was created” (209). Esmeralda Santiago’s experiences in “El Mangle, and in Sabana Grande as she describes in her chapter “Dreams of a Better Life” from When I Was Puerto Rican unquestionably helped shape her as an individual. Through her working diligently, her ability to remain focused, and her willingness to achieve, Santiago was able to embrace and live her dream.