Characters
Who is the narrator of The House on Mango Street?
Esperanza
Who states the following quote?
“Shame is a bad thing, you know. You want to know why I quit school? Because I didn’t have nice clothes. No clothes, but I had brains.”
Esperanza's mother
What is the term for an author's word choice?
Diction
The central idea or major takeaway from the story.
What emotion does Esperanza feel towards her home on Mango Street?
What is the name of Esperanza's younger sister who she compares herself to?
Nenny
What do the four skinny trees in the following quote symbolize?
“They are the only ones who understand me. . .Four skinny trees with skinny necks and pointed elbows like mine. Four who do not belong here but are here. Four raggedy excuses planted by the city.”
The trees are a symbol for Esperanza and her friends/family.
Which term refers to something that on the surface is its literal self but which also has another meaning.
Symbolism
What is unique about Sandra Cisnero's writing style?
She writes in a series of vignettes or short descriptive sketches.
What activity does Esperanza do that will help her to get out of Mango Street?
Writing or writing poems
What is the name of Esperanza's friend gets married to escape her abusive father?
Sally
What is the deeper meaning/ significance of the following quote?
“They will not know I have gone away to come back. For the ones I left behind, for the ones who cannot get out.”
Esperanza intends to leave Mango Street and become successful enough to come back and make the neighborhood better.
What is the term for when the author expresses their opinion about the nature of society?
Social Commentary
Home is a theme in the novel. What does home represent to Esperanza?
Home represents her independence, financial security, and safety.
(I will accept multiple answers).
What do Esperanza and her friends make up songs about as they play double dutch?
Hips
What is the name of Esperanza's babysitter who wishes more than anything to get married?
Marin
What is the deeper meaning/significance to the following quote:
“For the time being, Mama says. Temporary, says Papa. But I know how these things go.”
Esperanza and her family move around often due to poor living conditions.
Her mother and father say that this will be a temporary home, but Esperanza knows that they will be on Mango street for a long time.
Which term refers to a story where the protagonist grows and matures?
Bildungsroman
What is one specific example of how Esperanza is growing up?
I will accept multiple answers.
What happens to Esperanza when she is waiting for Sally at the carnival?
Esperanza is sexually assaulted by a group of boys.
Geraldo
What is the meaning/ significance of the following quote?
“All brown around, we are safe. But watch us drive into a neighborhood of another color and our knees go shakity-shake and our car windows get rolled up tight and our eyes look straight.”
What term refers to when an author places two things together in order to bring out their differences and convey a message.
Juxtaposition
What does the author have to say about how the women in her community (especially Hispanic women) are treated?
They are treated poorly.
They are treated like second class citizens.
They are often abused and controlled by men.
What do the three sisters tell Esperanza at the wake?
That Esperanza must come back for the others after she’s left Mango Street