All in the Family
The American city where the Cordero family lives now, and the country that Esperanza's parents came from.
What are Chicago and Mexico?
Woman who arrives to Esperanza's neighborhood one day in a taxicab. She says, "No speak English" if anyone comes to the door, and cries when her baby son begins to sing a Pepsi commercial.
Who is Mamacita?
Esperanza is inspired by this hard-working friend, who "doesn't want to spend her whole life in a factory or behind a rolling pin."
Who is Alicia?
"Until then I am a red balloon, a balloon tied to an anchor."
What is metaphor?
The literary genre of The House on Mango Street, that involves a character's journey from the innocence of childhood toward maturity, during which he/she confronts fears and searches for identity.
What is coming-of-age?
The reason that Esperanza's mother dropped out of school even though she was a "smart cookie".
What is her shame because she didn't have nice clothes?
Louie's girl cousin from Puerto Rico. She has some dreams for her future, but stays inside all day babysitting Louie's sisters.
Who is Marin?
Esperanza purchased this item, along with her friends Rachael and Lucy.
What is a bike?
"Let one forget his reason for being, they'd all droop like tulips in a glass, each with their arms around the other." (2)
What are simile and personification?
Rafaela sits at the window and dreams she is this fairy tale character as she lets a shopping bag down with clothesline to the children waiting below.
Who is Rapunzel?
The thing that Esperanza wishes for, above all else.
What is a home?
A family in Esperanza's neighborhood that has many wild, uncared for children and an overwhelmed single mother.
Who are the Vargas family?
The hand-me-down items Esperanza and her friends receive from a neighbor.
What are high-heeled shoes?
"The boys and the girls live in separate worlds. The boys in their universe and we in ours."
What is hyperbole?
Many of the girls in Esperanza's community try to escape the poverty they experience by doing this.
What is getting married?
The meaning of Esperanza's name, in English.
What is hope?
Esperanza meets these women at the wake of Lucy and Rachael's baby sister. They tell her, "When you leave, you must remember to come back for the others."
Who are The Three Sisters?
The reason that Cathy Queen of Cats moves away from Mango Street.
What is people like Esperanza are moving in?
"Esta muerto, and then as if he just heard the news himself, crumples like a coat and cries, my brave Papa cries."
What is simile?
Esperanza's hard-working papa, who is less domineering than other men in the community, cries as he tells her this sad news early one morning.
What is the news that her grandfather (abuelito) has died?
Esperanza's aunt, who tells her, "You must keep writing. It will keep you free..." even as she is mocked by Esperanza and her friends.
Who is Aunt Lupe?
A Mexican immigrant with an unknown last name. Marin met him while out dancing, and he died in a hit-and-run accident.
Who was Geraldo?
A beautiful and exotic friend who Esperanza admires at first, but then sees that she has traded one prison for another by marrying too young.
Who is Sally?
"But I like them. Their clothes are crooked and old. They are wearing shiny Sunday shoes without socks."
What is Alliteration?
The special place where Esperanza went to escape her daily life, until the day that Sally needed to be saved there.
What is The Monkey Garden?