Literary Terms
Theme
The subject being talked about
Where is Esperanza from?
Puerto Rico
What is the Authors name?
Sandra Cisenros
What is the theme of “The 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.
Symbolism
The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities
Where does Esperanza live now?
The House on Mango Street
Where was the author born?
Chicago, Illinois
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.
Juxtaposition
the fact of two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect
What does Esperanza mean in Spanish?
Hope
What is the author’s known style of writing?
Story Stories
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.
Bildungsroman
A novel dealing with one person's formative years or spiritual education.
What is one symbol of Esperanza’s ‘deep-rooted’ culture?
She has the same name as her great-grandmother
To whom is The House on Mango Street dedicated?
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.
Social Commentary
The act of using rhetorical means to provide commentary on issues in a society.
What is one role of women in Latino society as shown in the novel?
Mothers and Hard Workers
What is one award that the author has won?
American Book Award
What are the three themes repeated throughout 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.