Literary Terms
The fundamental and often universal idea explored in a literary work.
What is theme?
Mexico.
Where is Esperanza from?
Sandra Cisneros
What is the author's name?
Home.
What is the theme of "House on Mango Street"?
Esperanza does not like her situation in life and does not want to be reminded that it is not what she had hoped for.
What is the meaning of "I am tired of looking at what I can't have."?
The objects, characters, figures, or colors used to represent abstract ideas or concepts.
What is symbolism?
Chicago.
Where does Esperanza live now?
Chicago.
Where was the author born?
Identity.
What is the theme of “My Name”?
Even if Esperanza leaves Mango Street, she must never forget who she is or forget those she knew.
What is the meaning of "When you leave, you must remember to come back for the others. A circle, understand?"?
The act of using rhetorical means to provide commentary on issues in a society.
What is social commentary?
Hope.
What does Esperanza mean in Spanish?
Personal, emotional, and readable.
What is the author's known style of writing?
Coming of age.
What is the theme of "Hips"?
Sally married the salesman to get out of the situation at home. It was not because she wanted to get married, she wanted to get away from her abusive father.
What is the meaning of "She says she is in love, but I think she did it to escape."?
The fact of two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect.
What is juxtaposition?
Mothers.
What is one role of women in Latino society as shown in the novel?
To the women.
To whom is "The House on Mango Street" dedicated?
Women in society.
What is the theme of "Marin"?
She has begun a war inside herself to become beautiful and cruel.
What is the meaning of "I have begun my own quiet war."?
A novel dealing with one person's formative years or spiritual education.
What is a bildungsroman?
Having her grandmother's name.
What is one symbol of Esperanza’s ‘deep-rooted’ culture?
MacArthur Fellowship
What is one award the author has won?
Identity, Home, Women in Society.
What are the three themes related throughout to the end of the novel?
Even though she plans to leave one day, she will come back for them when she writes about them in her book about Mango Street.
What is the meaning behind "They will not know I have gone away to come back. For the ones I left behind. For the ones who cannot out."?