Literary Terms
The central message or life lesson the author communicates in a story.
What is theme?
Her family roots are in Mexico.
Where is Esperanza from originally?
Sandra Cisneros
What is the author's name?
The main theme of The House on Mango Street.
What is struggle with identity and pride/shame about home, while dreaming of a better life?
“I am tired of looking at what we can’t have.”
Poverty, longing for better life, frustration with limitations
When an object stands for a bigger idea or meaning.
What is symbolism?
Mango Street in Chicago.
Where does Esperanza live?
Chicago, Illinois
Where was the author born?
This vignette shows that a name is more than a label; it's a symbol of who you are and what you represent. Esperanza explores their power to either restrict or empower.
What is "My Name?"
“When you leave you must remember to come back for the others. A circle, understand?”
Responsibility to the community; help others escape
Placing two things side by side to show contrast
What is juxtaposition?
“Hope” (and also “to wait”) in Spanish.
What does "Esperanza" mean?
Vignettes (short, poetic chapters)
What is the author's style of writing?
The main theme of this vignette is "growing up brings new expectations of womanhood; girls’ bodies change their futures."
What is "Hips?"
“She says she is in love, but I think she did it to escape.”
Sally/Marin marrying young to flee control, dangers of relying on men
A coming-of-age story focused on personal growth.
What is a bildungsroman?
Trees
What is one symbol of Esperanza’s ‘deep-rooted’ culture?
A las mujeres (To the women)
To whom is The House on Mango Street dedicated?
The theme of this vignette is dreaming of escape and hoping a man will take her to a better life.
What is "Marin?"
“I have begun my own quiet war.”
Esperanza resisting gender expectations, rebellion, empowerment
When an author critiques society through writing.
What is social commentary?
They are often expected to depend on men, stay inside, marry young, and sacrifice freedom.
(Examples seen in Marin, Rafaela, Sally, etc.)
What is the role of women shown in the novel?
American Book Award, MacArthur “Genius” Grant, Hispanic Heritage Award
What is one award that the author has won?
Identity and self-definition
Escaping/creating a better future
Returning to help those who are trapped behind
What are three repeated themes at the end of the novel?
“They will not know I have gone away to come back…”
Leaving Mango Street to succeed but returning to uplift others