The House On Mango Street Research Paper

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John Rosado Ms. Bader 8/108 04/23/24 Argumentative Essay- The House on Mango Street Women battle against gender norms and male dominance, showing their fight for freedom and identity all around the world. In the novel The House on Mango Street, Sandra Cisneros illustrates the lives of women in a neighborhood of color, where social expectations and male manipulation limit their opportunities. Through Esperanza’s journey, we witness the struggles Esperanza and other women face to break free from this feeling of entrapment. The struggles against gender norms and male dominance are equally important, revealing how these issues shape the characters lives and reflect the intricacy of power and identity. As we explore the lives of the women on Mango …show more content…

Through characters like Tito's mother and Alicia, we witness the limits imposed by traditional gender norms. For instance, Tito's mother expresses the fact that they are just boys and that’s what they do, saying, "Those kids, she said, are not looking up from her ironing. That’s all for now. What do you want me to do, she said, call the police?" Page 97 of the book. Furthermore, her lack of care for the situation also suggests acceptance of the phrase that "boys will be boys," an excuse often used to justify male behavior regardless of its impact on women. Similarly, Alicia's determination to escape a life of domestication is evident in her decision to take "two trains and a bus, because she doesn't want to spend her whole life in a factory or behind a rolling pin" (Pages 31-32). This rebellion against the prearranged roles assigned to women accentuates the desire for freedom and self-determination. Additionally, Alicia’s father reinforces traditional gender roles, dismissing Alicia’s ambitions with the pronouncement that "a woman's place is sleeping so she can wake up early with the tortilla star" (Page 31). This statement exemplifies the societal expectation for women to prioritize their duties over personal dreams and goals. Overall, these instances highlight the influence of gender roles in shaping women's …show more content…

Despite mentions of racial identity, like when Esperanza is called "Spanish girl," the main concern is the mistreatment of women. For example, when Esperanza is grabbed by a boy who rapes her, he refers to her based on her ethnicity, it's not just about race but about his disregard for her and her consent as a woman. As seen in the text, "the one who grabbed me by the arm, he wouldn't let me go." He said "I love you, Spanish girl, I love you," (Page 100), this focuses on the boy's abusive behavior rather than racial identity, showing how women are mistreated and discriminated against in The House on Mango Street. Similarly, when Tito's friend sets a rule that forces Sally to kiss them to retrieve her keys, it's about declaring power over her. This is evident when one of Tito's friends declares, "you can't get the keys back unless you kiss us" (Page 96). This evidence once again shows us how women are taken advantage of and treated as objects on Mango Street. Additionally, when Esperanza is kissed by an old man who refuses to let go, it's a violation of her agency and highlights the issue of the mistreatment of women. As seen in the text, "just as I was about to put my lips on his cheek, he grabs my face with both hands and kisses me hard on the mouth and doesn't let go" (Page 55), it's clear that the focus is on how women

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