Literary Terms
Culture
About the Author
Themes
Quotes
100

What is theme?

Theme is the idea that recurs in or is throughout a work of art or literature.

100

Where is Esperanza from?

Chicago

100

What is the author's name?

Sandra Cisneros

100

What is the theme of "House on Mango Street"?

Theme of Home

100

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.

200

What is symbolism?

Symbols to represent ideas or qualities.

200

Where does she live now?

Mango Street

200

Where was the author born?

Chicago

200

What is the theme of "My Name"?

Theme of Identity

200

"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..

300

What is juxtaposition?

Two things being seen or placed close together to show contrast.

300

What does Esperanza mean in Spanish?

Hope

300

What is the author's known style of writing?

Readable, personal, and emotional

300

What is the theme of "Hips"?

Theme of coming of age

300

"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 becaus she wanted to get married, she wanted to get away from her abusive father.

400

What is a bildungsroman?

A novel or piece of writing telling about one's maturing from youth to adult.

400

What is one example of Esperanza'a "deep-rooted" culture?

She has the same name as her great-grandmother

400

To whom is "The House on Mango Street" dedicated?

"To the women"

400

What is the theme of "Marin"?

Theme of women in society

400

"I have begun my own quiet war."

She has begun a war inside her to become beautiful and cruel.

500

What is social commentary?

Using rhetoric and writing to talk about the issues in a society.

500

What is one role of women in Latino society as shown in the novel?

Mothers and Hard workers

500

What is one award the author has won?

MacArthur Fellowship

500

What are the three themes reeated throughout to the end of the novel?

Identity, Home, Women in Society

500

"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.