In “The House on Mango Street” by Sandra Cisneros, the theme of maturity/growth is explored through her excellent use of symbolism. Esperanza discovers that she must know what to do with her “hips” in order to lure the boys. For example, Esperanza states,”You gotta be able to know what to do with hips when you get them, I say making it up as I go” (Cisneros 50). Esperanza is now at the stage where she is paying attention to boys and want these boys to notice her. These hips are a symbol of sexuality as she wants the boys to notice her and say,”D***! Look at her move those hips!” She’s no longer the girl that is afraid of boys. Also, Esperanza uncovers the secret to “moving your hip” as she declares,”[Your hips] gotta be just so, not too fast and not too slow. Not too fast and not too slow” (50). When a girl moves her hips, you can’t move them too much or you look like a snob trying to impress a guy off, but if you move them not enough, the guys won’t notice you and you will be doing all that effort for nothing. Moving your hips requires a precise measurement to the left and right and Esperanza recognizes this precise movement she must make in order to get the guys to be alerted of her presence. Thus, through the symbolism of girl’s hips, the audience is able to recognize the maturity and growth Esperanza has developed in her life.