What do the trees represent for Esperanza?
Strength
What are the girls doing in this vignette?
Jumping rope and talking about hips
Who tells the story in this vignette?
Esperanza's mother
What does Esperanza dream of owning one day?
Her own house
What is one recurring theme in The House on Mango Street?
Identity, growing up, or belonging
How do the trees connect to Esperanza’s feelings about herself?
She feels small but strong, misunderstood, like them.
What do hips symbolize?
Growing up and becoming a woman
What is Esperanza’s mom’s biggest regret?
Not finishing school
Why does she stop visiting houses with her family?
She feels ashamed of not having one
What symbol represents Esperanza’s strength?
The four skinny trees
Name one way Cisneros uses personification (giving something that is not human human traits) in this vignette.
The trees “teach” Esperanza or “have roots that grip the earth like a stubborn woman.”
How does Esperanza’s attitude toward hips show she’s still maturing?
Esperanza is curious but also unsure; she’s observing others change.
What lesson does she want Esperanza to learn?
To be independent, educated, and not rely on others
What does Esperanza plan to do for others when she owns her house?
Let poor people stay in her attic
Which vignette shows Esperanza learning from her mother’s mistakes?
"A Smart Cookie"
How do the trees help Esperanza learn about challenges in her environment?
To stay strong, keep growing, and not give up
How does Esperanza’s view of hips differ from the other girls’?
She focuses more on the scientific side, while the others are playful and romantic about it
What does this vignette reveal about gender expectations in the neighborhood?
Women are limited by poverty and gender roles
What do the “bums in the attic” symbolize?
Kindness/not forgetting her roots
How does Esperanza’s dream house represent her identity?
It symbolizes independence and self-determination
How do the trees connect to the theme of identity in the book?
They mirror Esperanza’s growth and desire to find her own strength and place
How does “Hips” show the theme of growing up and identity?
It shows Esperanza and the other girls at a turning point between childhood and womanhood, using play to explore maturity and self-image
Why is the title “A Smart Cookie” ironic (the opposite of what is expected)?
It shows Esperanza’s mom is smart but her life never allowed her to show it
How does this vignette show Esperanza’s growth?
She learns compassion and wants to use her success to help others
Across these vignettes, what overall message does Cisneros convey about growth?
True growth comes from understanding yourself, your roots, and your dreams