Literary Terms
What is theme?
A common or repeated idea that is incorporated throughout the book.
Where is Esperanza from?
Chicago
What is the author's name?
Sandra Cisneros
What is the theme of "The House on Mango Street?" (1st vignette)
Home
One day I’ll own my own __________ but I won’t forget who I am or where I came from
House, Home
What is symbolism?
Something that on the surface seems to be one thing but which also has another meaning or even several meanings.
Where does Esperanza live now?
Mango Street
Where was the author born?
Chicago
What is the theme of "My Name?"
Identity
Who said, "“I could’ve been somebody, you know?”... She has lived in this city her whole life. She can speak two languages. She can sing an opera. She knows how to fix a T.V. But she doesn’t know which subway train to take to get downtown. I hold her hand very tight while we wait for the right train to arrive. "
Esperanza's mother
What is juxtaposition?
The arrangement of two or more ideas, characters, actions, settings, phrases, or words side-by-side or in similar moments. Use for the purpose of comparison or contrast.
What does Esperanza mean in Spanish?
Hope
What is the author's known style of writing?
Vignettes, bilingualism, simplicity
What is the theme of "Hips?"
Growing up
"She says she's in love, but I think she did it to escape." Who is this talking about?
Sally
What is bildungsroman?
A novel depicting someone's growth from childhood to maturity.
What is one symbol of Esperanza's "deep-rooted" culture?
Poor treatment of women
To whom is The House on Mango Street dedicated?
To las mujeres "the women"
What is the theme of "Marin?"
Women's role in society
"One day you wake up and they are there. Ready and waiting like a new Buick with the keys in the ignition. Ready to take you where?
They’re good for holding a baby when you’re cooking. Rachel says, turning the jump rope a little quicker. She has no imagination.
You need them to dance, says Lucy."
What are the girls talking about?
Hips/ Development
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?
Have lots of babies. Stay at home. Not work.
What is one award the author has won?
National Endowment of the Arts fellowship
What are the three themes repeated throughout the end of the novel?
Belonging, heritage,home
What is the meaning of this quote,
"All brown all 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. Yeah. That is how it goes?"