In Always Running, Luis Rodriguez reveals what it means to be a man trapped in gang life, while Sandra Cisneros illustrates: in The House on Mango Street, the lives of the women in the neighborhood and what they experience. Each author discusses the difficulties of being alienated either by race, social norms, or a combination of the two. We see Luis, from Always Running, and Esperanza, from The House on Mango Street, try to fit into the neighborhood, but realize that the neighborhood is not for them and leave. However, we are shown that Luis is able to find a true place where he belongs, while for Esperanza we are left in the dark as to what happens after he leaves. But even if they leave the neighborhood, the neighborhood will always be a part of them because it shaped them to be who they are. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay Children seek approval and belonging which is their instinct, so Luis and Esperanza wanted to be part of a society. Luis faced racism upon his arrival in America and throughout his educational career. He was constantly reminded that he was not welcome at school, such as when he was placed in a corner to play with blocks throughout the year. Realizing from a young age that he was not wanted, Luis turned to gang life, what he saw was the only place that would accept him. On the other hand, Esperanza was pressured to conform to what was expected of girls in the neighborhood. She liked to write poetry, but other girls liked boys. They wore short skirts and makeup, but she wore stains of dirt and grass. Society considered them beautiful and told her to look like them. Esperanza wanted to be like those girls who caught boys' eyes and made them look stupid; she wanted to fit in. Striving to belong in a place where he is alienated, Luis realizes that sometimes, no matter how much you want to belong, there are places you can't fit in. Luis abandons his books and education for gang life on the streets. Once he joins, he is trapped in the web of the neighborhood. He starts taking different kinds of drugs and stealing. However, there are times when he feels like saying "no", like when he is asked to be the one holding the gun or when he is going to shoot the Sangras, but he didn't because that in a gang we don't do it. say “no” to those who are higher than you if you want to live. Even though Luis tries to be part of the gang, he doesn't fool everyone. People like Roberta and Frankie realize that he is not like most gang members and is actually a "nice guy" (Always Running). No matter how many years he spends in the gang and no matter how hard he tries, he will never truly succeed. On the other hand, Esperanza realizes that submitting to the societal norms imposed on her was not as sweet as the fairy tales tell. In the chapter "The Little Feet Family", Esperanza receives a pair of beautiful shoes that make her feel like Cinderella. She thinks that when she puts on these shoes, it's like magic has been placed on her and she's a beautiful princess. However, reality quickly proves her wrong: she and her friends are walking through the streets in their shoes and encounter a tramp who tries to kiss them by force. They rush away and she never wears those shoes again...