Figurative Interpretation

Cisneros writes: 'My name. In English my name means hope. In Spanish it means too many letters. It means sadness, it means waiting.' What does 'too many letters' mean LITERALLY? FIGURATIVELY? Which reading does Cisneros intend?

1. Literal: the Spanish version of the name has more letters (Esperanza vs. hope).
2. Figurative: the name carries more weight, history, burden — 'too many' as 'too much'.

• Picks one reading only.
• Assumes only the literal reading is 'correct'.

• Lesson 3 · Mentor close read — Cisneros 'My Name' and...