what does esperanza mean when she says, "I have begun my quiet war"?

Quote #9

I have begun my own quiet war. Simple. Sure. I am the one who leaves the table like a man, without putting back the chair or picking up the plate. (35.5)

This is a gender quote. Esperanza believes the she has no feminine power of her own, so she decides to play with the different gender roles and take on the manerisms of a man.

Sorry, I forgot to add the following source above;