1) Throughout the book, Esperanza often relates her idea of a perfect house to her current house on Mango Street in a bias manner. When initially introducing the reader to her home, Esperanza states that she “[has] to have a house, (Cisneros 5)” but her house on Mango Street is not one. This implies that she does not feel the same amount of comfort as she would in her dream house. Esperanza later expands on this idea by admitting “[she] knows how it is to be without a house. (Cisneros 87)” Without the feeling of comfort in her home, Esperanza feels as if she is left astray. Her unhappiness with the house is reflected on when she names off some of her responsibilities. All of which will not be an issue when she has “a house all [her] own.(Cisneros 108)” Esperanza looks forward to not taking on other peoples responsibilities once …show more content…
When introducing many of her family members, she often expresses a characteristic that makes them unique. When taking about her mother, Esperanza admits that when she's being help by her mother, “She feels safe. (Cisneros 6)” This allows Esperanza to seek comfort in any situation as long as her mother is around. Which is important, especially when Esperanza encounters issues with her house. Esperanza shows her strong sisterly bonds when they both share the same thoughts. When she comments on their house’s appearance, Nenny says “thats exactly what I was thinking. (Cisneros 18)” Their similar thoughts show how much they have in common, and how strong their relationship is. Esperanza shows how much she cares when she begins to thing about the death of her grandfather. In the instance he passes, she would “hold [her] papa in [her] arms. (Cisneros 57)” She knows that it would be difficult seeing him go, but she would be right there by his side. Although Esperanza goes though rough times with family, there is no one that can replace the ones who love
When Esperanza is struck by the realization that she is not accepted in society, she aspires to bring a more hospitable environment to fruition. At the beginning of The House on Mango Street, Esperanza is questioned by a nun about where she lives. The condemning tone of the harridan shakes Esperanza, causing her to state, “There. I lived there… I knew then I had to have a house. A
In the book, Esperanza doesn’t want to follow the norms of the life around her; she wants to be independent. Esperanza states her independence by stating, “Not a man’s house. Not a daddy’s. A house all my own,” (Cisneros 108.) The syntax of these sentences stick out and are not complete thoughts, yet they convey much meaning and establish Esperanza’s feeling of not belonging. Esperanza’s feeling of not belonging is also emphasized when her sisters tell her that the events of her life have made her who she is and that is something she can not get rid of. Her sisters explain that the things she has experienced made her who she is by saying, “You will always be esperanza. You will always be mango street. You can’t erase what you know” (105.) What her sisters are trying to tell her is that the past has changed her but it doesn’t have to be a negative thing; it can be used to make her a better person who is stronger and more independent. Esperanza realizes that the things around her don’t really add up to what she believes is right, which also conveys the sense of not
In an earlier chapter, Esperanza meets with a witch, whom she hopes will tell her future only to be told, “Come back again on a Thursday when the stars are stronger” (72). However, when speaking to The Three Sisters toward the end of the story, they tell her to make a wish and say “You will always be Esperanza. You will always be Mango Street” (113). Rather than seek out her fate, the Fates (three sisters from Greek Mythology) have come seeking Esperanza. It has been confirmed that her wish to leave will come true, but remind her to remember her experiences as they have shaped who she is. In the article, “Interview with Sandra Cisneros”, Cisneros will tell her students to “make a list of the things that make you different from anyone in this room...in your community...your family...your gender (1). Cisneros uses this very idea in her writings of Esperanza: Her individuality is key- Esperanza’s identity as a writer and her background give her a unique voice that will allow her to speak up for those who have no
Esperanza wishes she could change where she lives. Even though Esperanza moved to a nicer house, she still does not like the house on Mango Street. Esperanza’s parents made the house they were moving to seem luxurious. Upon arrival, Esperanza realized “the house of Mango Street is not the way they told it at all. It’s small and red with tight steps in front and windows so small you’d think they were holding their breath” (4). Even though the house on Mango Street is an improvement, it is still not good enough for Esperanza. Esperanza says, “I knew I had to have a house. A real house. One I could point to. But this isn’t. the house on Mango Street isn’t it” (5). She dreams of one day having a bigger and better house. The new and improved house will be a place for others to come and stay, “some days after dinner, guests and I will sit in front of a fire. Floorboards will squeak upstairs. The attic grumble. Rats? They’ll ask. Bums I’ll say, and I’ll be happy” (87). Dreaming of moving to a new house not only gives Esperanza the feeling of control and independence, but makes her
Esperanza is a determined character by working hard and dreaming a lot to make it a better situation. (When Esperanza points out that she needs money
Throughout the story, Esperanza faces difficulties and hardships that help her become who she is. Her environment, her home, and her friends are the ones who shape her to be who she is. Though she may not be grateful for what she has, and who she has, it’s what makes Esperanza who she
Esperanza is constantly influenced by the women in her own family including her mother, sister and other various family members. Even early in the novel Esperanza recognizes that the boys hold more powers than the girl. She states “The boys and the girls live in different worlds” and how once outside of the house her brothers will not talk to the girls (10). Her brothers recognize that if the other boys in the neighborhood see them with their sisters, they will be mocked. This signals that Esperanza has internalized that the men hold more power even from an early age and her male siblings hold mor...
To them, they feel scared, in danger, and afraid of the people and environment. But to those who live there, they know better. People like Esperanza know everybody and feel safe around others. However, if they were to go to another neighborhood, they too would be frightened. This excerpt depicts a sort of racial prejudice found in society. It all depends on if you know the people in that neighborhood. “But we aren’t afraid. We know the guy with the crooked eye is Davey the Baby’s brother, and the tall one next to him in the straw brim, that’s Rosa’s E die V.,and the big one that looks like a dumb grown man, he’s fat Boy, though he’s not fat anymore nor a boy.” (Cisneros 28) She isn’t scared by them; straangers however are frightened. She understands this sad truth found in society, showcasing her maturity and comprehension of how the world works and how people feel in a foreign environment. By understanding such a thing, Esperanza expresses her intelligence, maturity, and feelings about
“Someday, I will have a best friend all my own. One I can tell my secrets to. One who will understand my jokes without me having to explain them” (9). These are the longing words spoken by Esperanza. In the novel The House on Mango Street, Esperanza is young girl experiencing adolescence not only longing for a place to fit in but also wanting to be beautiful. This becomes complicated as Esperanza becomes more sexually aware. Throughout the novel, Cisneros argues the importance of beauty and how Esperanza deals with beauty as a part of her identity. When Esperanza meets Sally a new friend, Esperanza’s whole world is turned upside down. Esperanza’s views on beauty change from a positive outlook to a negative one by watching how beauty has damaged Sally’s life.
Borders detach us from the outside world; it constricts us with its walls and warps us into bystanders to the events occurring around us. Borders are a central theme in The House on Mango Street as we witness different characters trying to cope with the borders that enclose their daily lives, some attempt to cross it while others are held back by it. A common border which manifests in the stories throughout The House on Mango Street and Woman Hollering Creek is the boundary between the two opposing genders: male and female. This border between genders is created because of the expectations and stereotypes that are placed upon them, further contrasting the inherent differences between them and erecting a border that causes friction between the two groups. This border, stemmed from the differences between the two genders, manifests in different forms and are broken by different characters in the stories of The House on Mango Street as well as Woman Hollering Creek.
Although Esperanza is constantly reaffirming that she wants to move away from Mango Street, we know by the end novel that she will one day return to help those who will not have the opportunities Esperanza has had in her life. Indeed, in the closing pages Esperanza admits that she cannot escape Mango Street. She can never again call it home, but it has influenced her dreams, formed her personality, and she has learned valuable life lessons from its inhabitants. That is why, explains Esperanza, she tells stories about the house on Mango Street, revealing the beauty amidst dirty streets and unveiling her true inner self, the peace of knowing that her “home is where her heart is.”
At first, Esperanza is young, insecure, and immature. Her immaturity is apparent when she talks about her mom holding her, saying it is, “sweet to put your nose into when she is holding you and you feel safe” (Cisneros 6-7). This shows Esperanza’s insecurity because her mom is still a big comfort source to her. She feels a false sense of comfort because her mom is there and will protect her. In addition, Esperanza’s immaturity is shown through her dislike for outsiders of the neighborhood when she says, “They are stupid people who are lost and got here by mistake” (Cisneros 28). This indicates how defensive and protective Esperanza is towards her barrio by calling outsiders stupid for reacting the way they do, even though she dislikes Mango Street....
Sandra Cisneros' strong cultural values greatly influence The House on Mango Street. Esperanza's life is the medium that Cisneros uses to bring the Latin community to her audience. The novel deals with the Catholic Church and its position in the Latin community. The deep family connection within the barrio also plays an important role in the novel. Esperanza's struggle to become a part of the world outside of Mango Street represents the desire many Chicanos have to grow beyond their neighborhoods.
In the novel, The House on Mango Street, Sandra Cisneros describes the problems that Latino women face in a society that treats them as second class citizens. A society that is dominated by men, and a society that values women for what they look like, and not for what is on inside. In her Novel Cisneros wants us to envision the obstacles that Latino women must face everyday in order to be treated equally.
Throughout the book, Esperanza uses idiomatic phrases that indicate that she has acknowledged the fact that she is being stereotyped based on her economic status and ethnic background. Despite Esperanza being fully aware of her status in society she knows there is nothing she can do about it right now and makes the best of it. On page 5, Esperanza says “I know how these things go” as a comment when her parents tell her that one day they will eventually move out of Mango Street to live in a better house. Esperanza thinks her parents are being unrealistic and knows in reality that her family would never be able to afford their dream house because she is aware that her family is in poverty. Cisneros is hinting that Esperanza is starting to lose