Social Class In The House On Mango Street

Countless people grow up as members of the lower social classes. In the novel The House on Mango Street Esperanza proves to become a genuinely mature woman despite of being brought up as a member of a lower social class. Esperanza's experiences in The House on Mango Street demonstrates that members of lower social classes often have an authentically generous and overall beneficial personality, often a result of their childhood experiences. This is displayed by “Bums in the Attic”, supporting Sally in “The Monkey Garden”, and Esperanza going with Sally to the carnival even though she did not wish to go.

The first event that shows the personality deviation of members if lower social classes is “Bums in the Attic”. First, this shows

that Esperanza feels compassionate towards the bums. Esperanza shows compassion to the bums by saying, "I'll offer them the attic, ask them to stay, because I know how it is to be without a house" (Cisneros 87). Second, Esperanza remembers her roots and that is how she is brought up and that influences her generous personality. In “Bums in the Attic”, Esperanza says, “One day I'll own my own house, but I won't forget who I am or where I came from"( Cisneros 87). Third, Esperanza is motivated by the bums and her experiences as a child, to achieve her goals. Which in turn, makes her a generous and caring person. This shows that Esperanzas generous treatment of the bums contributes to her personality, like the way she assists Sally in “The Monkey Garden”.

The second event that shows the variations in personality among the members of the lower social classes, is Esperanza helping Sally in “The Monkey Garden”. Initially, Esperanza shows empathy towards Tito, his friends, and Sally, when she runs to tell Tito's mother. Esperanza proves to be a mature person by telling an adult about an amiss situation. Secondly, this event shows that Esperanza used bravery to aid in the resolution of the situation. Esperanza says, "I wanted to go back with the other kids who were still jumping on cars, still chasing each other through the garden" (Cisneros 96). Thirdly, Esperanza can fathom right from wrong, she proves this by way of her thoughts. Esperanza says, “I don't know why, but something inside me wanted to throw a stick. Something wanted to say no when I watched Sally going into the garden with Tito's buddies all grinning" (Cisneros 96-97). This shows that Esperanza has extensive maturity and empathy which results in great generosity, like Esperanza assisting Sally.

The third event that shows the deviations among the personalities of members of lower social classes, is Esperanza going to the carnival even though she honestly did not want to.

Initially, Esperanza expresses vast care towards Sally when she went to the carnival. Esperanza did not yearn to go to the carnival, and only went in the interest of Sally. Esperanza said, " And anyway, I do not like carnivals. I went to be with you because you laugh on the tilt-a-whirl, you throw your head back and laugh" (Cisneros 99). This shows that Esperanza certainly means well when she goes to the carnival. Second, her experience at the carnival results in her becoming a more considerate person. This transformation occurs because, now that something major has happened to her, she now feels considerate to people in the same situations as her. Lastly, Esperanza learns to not be so naive as she was before due to this situation. This is how Esperanza going to the carnival even though she did not desire to shows personality differences from others.

In the novel, The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros, Esperanza matures and grows up in a lower class neighborhood. Esperanza's troubles in The House on Mango Street, illustrates that people brought up in lower class societies often have beneficial and generous personalities. This is expressed through Esperanza's treatment towards the bums, Esperanza's empathy towards Sally in "The Monkey Garden", and Esperanza's presence at

a carnival she did not desire to be at. Looking back at this novel, Esperanza clearly embodies the beneficial personality most likely derived from a troubled past.