Characters
Young Latina Protaganist
Esperanza
Esperanza's young brothers
Carlos and Kiki
Esperanza eats at her school's for the first time, but a nun shames her, exposing the pain of her poverty.
A Rice Sandwich
A small yard behind the house, sandwiched between two buildings, with a tiny garage.
The Small Yard/Garden
Mango ST
Esperanza's Role Model
Marin
Esperanza's Brother's friend
Louie
When Esperanza got SA
The First Job
Trees with roots that grab the earth, representing resilience and a connection to the neighborhood.
The four Skinney trees
Who does esperanza gets kissed by
Her boss
Her Father wants her to fill in the Mother role
Alicia
A young woman, just a bit older than Esperanza, with two children and an abusive husband.
Minerva
Alicia overcomes her fear of mice and her father's limitations to study at a university.
Alicia see's Mice
A fictional, beautiful, "white" house that Esperanza dreams of having, which contrasts with the reality of the small house on Mango Street
The Dream House
Who is esperanza best friends
Rachel and Lucy
Marin has a chance to leave Mango st if she marry's this guy
Geraldo
A girl with an abusive father, eventually marrying young to escape.
Sally
a boy usually seen as acting tough or foolish, surprises Esperanza by pointing to a fluffy, popcorn-like cloud and declaring, "That's God"
Darius and Cloud
Located next door to Esperanza
Edna's Apartment
who does esperanza look up to
Sally and Marin
This lady doesn't speak English
Mamacita
Helped esperanza get a job
Anut lala
She vows to leave her neighborhood through writing, creating a new, independent life
Desire for Autonomy
A high-floor apartment where a woman who only knows eight words of English
Mamacita apartment
Where does esperanza go to work