Literary Terms
What is theme?
the subject of a talk, a piece of writing, a person's thoughts, or an exhibition; a topic.
Where is Esperanza from?
Chicago
What is the author’s name?
Sandra Cisneros
What is the theme of “The House on Mango Street”?
It is about her old and new house and what she wished it was and about her family.
“I am tired of looking at what we can’t have.”
She wanted to be like the people who had money and be more than she already is
the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities.
Where does Esperanza live now?
Mango Street
Where was the author born?
Chicago
What is the theme of “My Name”?
It is about the past of her name and how she wished she was able to change it to something different.
“When you leave you must remember to come back for the others. A circle, understand?”
If she goes to a better place she must come back for her family and not forget them
What is juxtaposition?
the fact of two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect.
What does Esperanza mean in Spanish?
Too many letters
What is the author’s known style of writing?
Vinets
What is the theme of “Hips”?
It’s about them growing up and becoming a woman
“She says she is in love, but I think she did it to escape.”
Girls would marry a man in a higher class to get out of the rough life they live
What is a bildungsroman?
Roman, in dem die geistige und charakterliche Entwicklung des Helden von der Kindheit bis zur Reifung geschildert wird.
What is one symbol of Esperanza’s ‘deep-rooted’ culture?
Her home life
To whom is The House on Mango Street dedicated?
Her mom
What is the theme of “Marin”?
Growing up and getting married either to someone you like or someone who has money
“I have begun my own quiet war.”
She fights a lot of inner battles with herself and feels emotional trapped
What is social commentary?
an expression of opinions or offering of explanations explanations about an event or situation.
What is one role of women in Latino society as shown in the novel?
Be a stay at home mom
What is one award that the author has won?
What are the three themes repeated throughout the end of the novel?
It is about her growing up and what she wants in life
“They will not know I have gone away to come back. For the ones I left behind.
For the ones who cannot out.”
She left to have a better life but she did it for her family and those she left behind.