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Lisandra Contreras

Professor Batty

English 101

7 May 2018

Self Esteem is an Element for Change

The common topic of confidence and self esteem is known by everyone. During the

adolescence years the experience of self esteem can come to be in new lengths. Lengths that may

desire a need for growth. Feelings and thoughts may feel more sensitive on an adolescent's

evolving self-esteem. The Counseling and Mental Health Center at The University of Texas

gives a basic understanding of self-esteem; “​Most people's thoughts and feelings about

themselves fluctuate somewhat based on their daily experiences.”​ ​However, these are challenges

we experience so that we may learn, develop, change, and fulfill ourselves. Writer Alex Espinoza

illustrates a clear example of such. In his novel, ​Still Water Saints, ​he writes about Rosa Cabrera

who starts off as a sixteen year old adolescent who experiences low self-esteem herself. Her

nature of holding more pounds than most other girls her age is a cause for others to share their

opinions on her body. All the opinions, including her mother’s, Rosa experiences about her

sacred body become degrading to her. And so, as time passes on Rosa’s confidence in herself

fluctuates revealing the challenges of self esteem. The story continues and through time Rosa is

older and appears much more confident in herself than she once had. One can come to know the

meaning of the story of Rosa Cabrera’s time with a low self esteem. Although some may say

Rosa does not truly change, I argue as time passes Rosa changes as she becomes aware of her
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low self-esteem state and grows confidence with the help of Miguel Angel and thus overcomes a

challenge that life presented to her.

The intensity low self esteem can impose on oneself is tremendous and Rosa Cabrera was

definitely not left out of that experience. The following dialogue between Rosa and Miguel

Angel is from the beginning of their experience together and helps us know that Rosa has a low

self esteem; “‘Do you got a boyfriend?’ “No.’ ‘Really?’ ‘Really.’ ‘That surprises me. You’re

way pretty.’ I think about my wide thighs that remind me of tree trunks, my blouse stretched out

so far that the buttons look like they're about to come undone. I think about Blanca. Always

wanting to do my makeup and nails” (Espinoza 19). Here Rosa is her jobsite when her coworker

Miguel Angel complements her. It does not seem like Rosa full fledged and confidently took the

compliment. Rosa recalls her body so she doubts the compliment. Additionally, Rosa remembers

her sister Blanca-a gal who enjoys beauty and getting dolled up (contrary to Rosa)- who tries to

get Rosa to change up her looks. Espinoza show the message through Miguel Ángel’s character

here as well. The message is that though an individual may not be a society’s idealistic version of

an attractive body, they are still beautiful and worthy of being appreciated. Miguel Ángel

exemplifies that message and is an example to follow for all those who get to know him in ​Still

Water Saints​.

By understanding self-esteem, we may comprehend Rosa and her time-tested ability to

control her self-esteem. Through understanding Rosa as much as we can with knowledge we

may be more able to clearly conceptualize her message and story. Michael H. Kernis is a

researcher in the field of psychology who draws a knowledgeable understanding of the true low

self esteem. Furthermore, Kernis describes his knowledge of low self-esteem “Moreover, other
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influential research has shown that low self-esteem individuals possess low self-concept clarity

(Campbell, 1990; Campbell e.t. al., 1996), that is, that their self-concepts lack internal

consistency and temporal stability and are held with little confidence.” This definition can be

seen to know Rosa. From this we can infer how Rosa has acted in a low self-esteem manner.

Rosa said “I don’t know how to dance” (Espinoza 25). Here proves that Rosa does go through a

struggle and then overcomes it. Rosa said she did not know how to dance. This shows, just as

Kernis mentioned, a part of Rosa feeling like she does not know how to perform something.

Knowing that Rosa goes through the challenge of not being confident in herself is part of the

message of the story. The complete message is knowing that Rosa goes through the whole

challenge of low self-esteem and was able to overcome it by gaining confidence with the help of

Miguel.

Once again, Miguel Angel is a character in ​Still Water Saints​ who helps Rosa become

more aware of herself and her worth. He is a young man who helps develop Rosa’s confidence.

Additionally, throughout the story they develop a romantic relationship. However, some say

Rosa simply changes for Miguel Angel so her change is not true. Whereas I argue that the

dialogue between Miguel Angel and Rosa proves that he provokes her to grow confidence and it

must start from within Rosa. Sometimes it takes a loved one to share their love for you to help

you become aware of your potential. I believe that this true in the development of Miguel and

Rosa’s relationship. Espinoza illustrates an example of this in the following dialogue between

Rosa and Miguel, “He stands in front of me, his bare and shuffling across the hardwood floor.

‘Come on, Rosa.’ ‘I don’t know how to dance.’ ‘You promised,’ he shouts over the music. ‘You

told me on Wednesday that you’d dance with me today. Take off your shoes.’ ‘I never promised
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you anything.’ ‘Stop being shy. Come on.’ His hands beckon me. I kick my shoes off, pull down

my socks, and stand…’You’re afraid. You’re trembling.’ ‘I’m fine’ (25). Here we see that Rosa

is not confident to dance at first. Then Miguel excitingly invites Rosa to dance. One can note the

insecurity Rosa had in herself because she denies getting up and dancing. She does not have faith

in her ability to do the less familiar; dancing. This is an example of her lower self esteem. The

message of this experience becomes clearer after Miguel Angel encourages Rosa to get out of

her comfort zone. Ultimately, Rosa pushes herself out of her comfort zone into what might seem

unfamiliar or scary but truly stands as her opportunity to grow her confidence. And Rosa bravely

does so. She faces her doubts and confidently stands up to dance with Miguel Angel to music she

is not that familiar with either. Espinoza’s message is clear; one will face dark feelings and

thoughts towards oneself but to overcome them you must face them. And here Rosa did just that.

She faced the insecure feeling and helped herself to become more confident in herself. As time

passes by and with the encouragement of Miguel, Rosa is able to realize a healthier self-esteem.

The truth is that Rosa experiences change provoking experiences and continues to

triumph through and appear more confidence throughout the story. In fact, her confidence is seen

when she stands assertive for herself during her interaction with Miguel Angel. Rosa shows

herself as having an assertive demeanor when Espinoza writes “‘You don’t gotta listen to the

words. Just the music. Come on. You can see I’m a perfect gentleman. Didnt try nothing today.’

‘Fine. But don’t think I don’t know how to take care of myself’” (23). Here Miguel Ángel begins

talking to Rosa after their get together. Rosa knowing that she does not need to be taken care of,

warns Miguel Ángel of this independence confidently. What made Rosa say this is interesting. I

believe Rosa’s experience of her mother, sister, and even Perla-whom suggested to Rosa
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different ways to help herself-has lead her to want to express control for her ownself. More

specifically, her mother by suggested following a healthy diet, routine workout tapes, going to

Perla for slimming teas and suggesting the Las Gloria's Market job so Rosa because according to

her Mom “what [Rosa] really needed was to be on [her] feet, moving around more” (Espinoza

16). The message learned through this part of Rosa’s life is that we shall learn the ability to make

light and strength over experiences that may have the potential to put us down.

By knowing that Rosa goes through a challenge and overcomes that challenge we may move

forward to applying it to ourselves. A message of hope is known through Rosa’s story. Rosa

pushed her limits to explore new boundaries, got encouragement, and support from others in

doing so. What is more, by the power within herself Rosa was able to know more than low

confidence, change, and fulfill herself over time-as seen in her when she stands assertive and

confident. This message was truly witnessed in Rosa’s story in Still Water Saints and can be

witnessed and applied to in our lives.

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Works Cited

Espinoza, Alex. ​Still Water Saints: a Novel​. Picador, 2013.

“Self-Esteem.” ​CMHC Self Esteem​, cmhc.utexas.edu/selfesteem.html

Kernis, Michael H. “Toward a Conceptualization of Optimal Self-Esteem.” Psychological

Inquiry, vol. 14, no. 1, 2003, pp. 1–26. JSTOR, JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/1449033.