Characters
The woman who is afraid to assimilate, and therefore resists learning English.
Mamacita
Near the beginning of the novel, Esperanza compares herself to a balloon tied to this.
An anchor
The most common reason that an author uses the literary technique, "repetition."
For emphasis
Where does Marin claim the best jobs are, and what makes them the best jobs?
Downtown; it gives a person the opportunity to dress nicely and meet a man on the subway.
When Esperanza has her fortune told by Elenita, she is told that some time in her future, she will have this.
"A home in the heart"
The girl who works hard to get an education, even though her father disapproves of it.
Alicia
Esperanza says that on Mango Street, the people are "all this all around," and are therefore safe.
"All brown all around, we are safe."
When Esperanza writes about the trees in "Four Skinny Trees" as "the only ones who understand [her]" this is an example of...
Personification
Where does the nun at Esperanza's school think she lives?
In a row of houses that are so rundown that even "the raggedy men" are ashamed to live there.
The real reason that the Earl of Tennessee's wife looks different to everyone in the neighborhood.
She's actually several different women (prostitutes).
Name two characters who are stuck in cycles of abuse.
Minerva, Esperanza's great-grandmother, Sally
The local hangout for Esperanza's friends, and the closest thing to a playground that the kids have.
The Monkey garden
What physical feature does Esperanza use as a simile to describe her family's personalities?
Esperanza was sexually assaulted in this location.
The coatroom at her first job; the carnival
What is distinctly different about Edna's daughter, Ruthie?
Ruthie is mentally disabled and acts like a child.
Who is the first boy that Esperanza has a crush on?
Sire
The three sisters tell Esperanza she must remember this.
To come back for the others who cannot leave so easily.
Which physical trait does Esperanza frequently use to show her feelings about her progression to maturity?
Her feet.
Where does Esperanza's family go on Sundays?
To go look at the big houses her father works at.
Esperanza's mother says she quit school because she didn't have this.
Nice clothes
Name at least three characters who have a window as a symbol within their respective vignette.
Rafaela, Sally, Minerva, Mamacita, Esperanza, Esperanza's great-grandmother
Sally says that she got married because she is in love, but Esperanza says she thinks Sally did it for this reason.
To escape
What is the most prominent motif in this novel AND what does it represent?
A woman looking out of the window; represents longing for something that is out of reach
Where is Esperanza when we learn that she considers it stupid to want nice things?
Gil's Furniture store
What prevents the trapped women on Mango Street from leaving their situations or getting help.
Financial dependence on men/strict gender roles