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The House on Mango Street
Sandra cisneros.
Language and Names
One of the most important themes of The House on Mango Street is the power of words. Esperanza first learns that the lack of language (especially English) means powerlessness, as with Mamacita , who is trapped in her apartment by her ignorance and fear of English. This leads to Esperanza understanding the power of controlling language, which first comes through the idea of names. Esperanza has only one name while most characters have several –…
Gender and Sexuality
From the start of the book Esperanza realizes that men and women live in “separate worlds,” and that women are nearly powerless in her society. There is a constant conflict between being a sexual being and keeping one’s freedom, as most of the book’s female characters are trapped both by abusive husbands and needy children. Esperanza comes to recognize this dichotomy as she is caught between her own budding sexuality and her desire for freedom.
Foreigness and Society
The House on Mango Street is set in a Latino community in Chicago, and on one level it is about building a cultural identity in a society where Latinos are seen as foreign. Throughout the book, Esperanza must struggle against the feelings of shame and isolation that come with living in the barrio – she is ashamed of her shabby house and how her classmates see her as “different.” Cathy , her first friend in…
Identity and Autonomy
Esperanza ’s essential goal is to be an autonomous individual who controls her own choices, a desire driven by her observations of the many trapped and powerless people of Mango Street. This desire is physically represented by her dream of a new house in a different place – at first it is a house for her family, but by the story’s end it is a house that she alone owns, where she can write. She…
Dreams and Beauty
Dreams and beauty are spread throughout The House on Mango Street , and most often come as a means of escaping the harsh realities of life. Esperanza ’s name means “hope” in Spanish, and dreams and beauty pervade even the writing style, which is poetic and dreamlike and scattered with internal rhymes like “their height was not tall, and their feet were very small.” Esperanza’s dream of a house also recurs throughout the book.
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Examine the significance of the house on Mango Street as a symbol of home and place. How does Esperanza's perception of her home change over time? Discuss the impact of the neighborhood on her aspirations and sense of belonging.
Here, the metaphor of a clean, quiet house represents a sanctuary from the harsh realities of racism and poverty. Esperanza's longing for a safe space highlights the oppressive environment she lives in, where racism is pervasive and limits her opportunities.
From a general summary to chapter summaries to explanations of famous quotes, the SparkNotes The House on Mango Street Study Guide has everything you need to ace quizzes, tests, and essays.
The best study guide to The House on Mango Street on the planet, from the creators of SparkNotes. Get the summaries, analysis, and quotes you need.
I. Thesis Statement: In The House on Mango Street, the house is the most important symbol. II. A “real” house vs. house on Mango Street. III. House as physical space. IV. House as a...
The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros is a coming-of-age novel that explores the themes of identity, community, and the pursuit of dreams. The... read full [Essay Sample] for free.
From a general summary to chapter summaries to explanations of famous quotes, the SparkNotes The House on Mango Street Study Guide has everything you need to ace quizzes, tests, and essays.
1. Discuss Esperanza’s disappointment with the house on Mango Street. Why doesn’t she consider it “a real house”? What does the house represent for her? 2. Why is having a “real” house ...
Need help on themes in Sandra Cisneros's The House on Mango Street? Check out our thorough thematic analysis. From the creators of SparkNotes.
Why is Cathy’s family leaving Mango Street? Why does Esperanza want to return to Mango Street one day? Why does Mamacita get upset when her baby starts to speak English? Who lives in the house on Mango Street? Why does Alicia see mice?