Literary Devices (Basics)
direct reference to another book, such as when Esperanza mentions "The Three Sisters," hinting at fairy tale-like magical women
What is Allusion?
A moment when Esperanza realizes she doesn’t want to “inherit her place by the window” like other women.
What is Epiphany?
The main struggle between Esperanza and the limitations placed on her due to her gender and class.
What is External Conflict?
The story never directly explains what happens to Rafaela, leaving readers to interpret the meaning.
What is Ambiguity?
The narrator’s attitude, both hopeful and frustrated, shown through short sentences and repetition.
What is Tone?
This is when Esperanza debates leaving Mango Street or staying to help others, showing a mental and emotional battle
What is Internal Conflict?
When Esperanza repeats “And” over and over in a list, this slows the pace and adds emotion.
What is Polysyndeton?
he conversations Esperanza has with characters like Sally or her mother.
What is Dialogue?
Clues like the recurring theme of girls stuck at home hint at Esperanza’s need to escape.
What is Foreshadowing?
Repeating the idea of a house over and over gives the story this rhythm and deeper meaning.
What is Motif?
In The House on Mango Street, this is created by vivid images like “hair like little rosettes, like little candy circles.”
What is Imagery?
The emotional vibe felt when reading about the red house or the quiet sadness of Alicia’s morning.
What is Atmosphere?
Mango Street itself, a poor Latino neighborhood in Chicago, represents this key element.
What is Setting?
Esperanza dreams of a house with a garden, which stands for freedom and identity.
What is Symbolism?
A short vignette where Cisneros uses humor to show the strictness of nuns or teachers points to this style.
What is Satire?
The sky was like a tinfoil pan," shows this device that gives human or relatable traits to objects.
What is Personification?
A contrast between what Esperanza expects from growing up and the harsh reality of womanhood.
What is Irony?
The reason Esperanza writes and dreams of a new house—she wants independence and freedom.
What is Motive?
Cisneros uses this device when the tone shifts from hopeful to bitter, reflecting Esperanza’s emotional journey.
What is Tone?
The use of slow, rhythmic sentences in serious moments reflects this control over time.
What is Pacing?
This term describes when the reader understands that Esperanza’s dreams may not be easy to reach, even if she believes otherwise
What is Dramatic Irony?
Esperanza’s desire for a house of her own, repeated throughout the book, is an example of this.
What is Motif?
he order of Esperanza’s vignettes and her use of first-person narration reflect this.
What is Narrative Structure?
Esperanza’s quiet but powerful resistance to tradition points to this deeper message about womanhood and self-liberation.
What is Theme?
Esperanza’s recurring dream of moving away and then returning for others reveals this central takeaway.
What is Theme?