House On Mango Street

Quick Summary :
Wow, hard task to make a cute summary one such a book.
The House on Mango Street is a book that depicts the life of a twelve year old Mexican- American Girl named Esperanza that has recently moved to Mango Street. The book explains that Mango Street is located in Chicago in a Latino based neighborhood that is on the poor side and mostly racially segregated. Throughout the time frame of a year, the book explains how Esperanza must mature rapidly to survive in her new neighborhood. This includes emotional and physical maturity between her family, younger boys, Younger girls, and sadly, older men in the neighborhood. Through the hard times of fighting through poverty, puberty, and sexual assault. Esperanza comes to the conclusion

that she wants to move away from Mango street and carry out her life.

Literary Elements:
Throughout the story, The House on Mango Street, there are many literary elements.

One of the things that stuck out to me greatly is the theme of sexuality. Within the story Esperanza has begins to mature in a sexual way which in modern day society is considered in appropriate for her age of 12. She begins to obtain sexual thoughts of other men. The powerful aspect of this is revealed later on in the story when she pieces together that sexual relations and staying in the neighborhood go hand in hand. Most of the women married are mostly forced to stay in the neighborhood which she does not want at all. But knowing this, she does not allow it to heavily sway her desires to the other boys.
Further tying into this theme, you have the symbol of shoes. In the story, shoes becoming the starting point of a sexual image. But this image is not her initial thought of wearing heels, this image is evoked on her by older men as they take the shoes as a symbol of further maturity and sexual attraction. In a negative impact, once Esperanza wears the heels and obtains such attention, she does not want to go back to her childish little girl shoes. This further pushes the rate of maturity in a sexual way.

New Vocabulary

:
Naphtha- A volatile, flammable liquid mad of hydrocarbons.
Trudge- Walk heavily and firmly, as when weary.
Porcelain- Ceramic ware made of a more or lass translucent ceramic
Threshold- The entrance for passing through a room or building.
Fuchsia- A tropical shrub.
Currency- The metal or paper medium of exchange that is presently used.
Pillar- Supportive structure that takes the shape of a column.
Imitate- To appear like, as in behavior or appearance.
Intern- An advanced student or graduate.
Limp- Lacking in strength, firmness and resistance.
Anemic- Lacking vigor or energy.
Canteen- A room with food sold to personnel at an institution.
Totter- Move without being stable, as if threatening to fall.
Spartan- Unsparing and Uncompromising in discipline or judgment.
Linoleum- A floor covering.
Brim- A circular Projection sticking out from the crown of a hat.
Jut- Extend out or project in space.
Fleck- A Small contrasting part of something.
Chandelier- An ornate branched lighting decoration.

Personal Observations:
Within the story a few powerful quotes stand out to me in which I can really imagine in a high school aspect.
1. “ Until then I am a red balloon, a balloon tied to an anchor.” To me this quote symbolizes a stand out jewel. Something different and special from the rest, but is held down and restricted from freedom and discover from others. In the context of the story, this could mean that Esperanza feels like she is special and stands out, but is trapped in the neighborhood due to her young age and need to be dependent on her parents.
2. “No, this isn’t my house I say and shake my head as if shaking could undo the year I’ve lived here. I don’t belong. I don’t ever want to come from here.” This quote to me is the most powerful. I interpret this as a pure sign of rejection and bitterness. Explaining that if there was any other choice of freedom, Esperanza would take it.