Literary Terms
What is theme?
A common thread or repeated idea that is incorporated throughout a literary work.
Where is Esperanza from?
Chicago
What is the author's name?
Sandra Cisneros
What is the theme of "House on Mango Street"?
Theme of Home
"I am tired of looking at what I can't have."
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 symbolism?
Something that on the surface is its literal self but which also has another meaning or even several meanings.
Where does she live now?
Mango Street
Where was the author born?
Chicago
What is the theme of "My Name"?
Theme of Identity
"When you leave, you must remember to come back for the others. A circle, understand?"
Even if Esperanza leaves Mango Street, she must never forget who she is or forget those she knew..
What is juxtaposition?
The arrangement of two or more ideas, characters, actions, settings, phrases, or words side-by-side or in similar narrative moments.
What does Esperanza mean in Spanish?
Hope
What is the author's known style of writing?
Readable, personal, and emotional
What is the theme of "Hips"?
Theme of coming of age
"She says she is in love, but I think she did it to escape."
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 bildungsroman?
A novel depicting someone’s growth from childhood to maturity.
What is one example of Esperanza'a "deep-rooted" culture?
She has the same name as her great-grandmother
To whom is "The House on Mango Street" dedicated?
"To the women"
What is the theme of "Marin"?
Theme of women in society
"I have begun my own quiet war."
She has begun a war inside her to become beautiful and cruel.
What is social commentary?
The act of expressing an opinion on the nature of society.
What is one role of women in Latino society as shown in the novel?
Mothers and Hard workers
What is one award the author has won?
MacArthur Fellowship
What are the three themes repeated throughout to the end of the novel?
Identity, Home, Women in Society
"They will not know I have gone away to come back. For the ones I left behind. For the ones who cannot out."
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.