Characters of Mango Street
Setting/Background
Themes
Symbols
100

Who is the narrator of The House on Mango Street?

Esperanza

100

Where does Esperanza live?

Mango Street

100

What is the main theme that Esperanza reflects on in the book?

Identity, belonging, and the desire for a better life.

100

What does the "house on Mango Street" symbolize to Esperanza?


It symbolizes both a sense of confinement and a longing for escape.


200

Which character does Esperanza describe as “the girl who walks like a lady”?

Cathy

200

What is the significance of Mango Street in the novel?

It is the place Esperanza feels trapped in, but also where she dreams of leaving to find a better life.

200

What does Esperanza dream of in terms of her future?

She dreams of owning a beautiful house of her own, different from the one on Mango Street.

300

Who is Esperanza’s best friend, known for her bold personality?

Lucy

300

How does Esperanza view the women around her, such as her mother and the other women in the neighborhood?

She sees them as strong but often trapped in traditional roles or difficult circumstances.


400

What dose Esperanza call her mother, who is described as having a good sense of humor and beauty?

Mama (Esperanza’s mother)

400

What theme does Esperanza explore when talking about the struggles of identity and belonging?

The theme of finding one’s voice and place in the world.

500

What does the narrator mean when she says, “The house on Mango Street is ours, and we are never going to move again”?

She means that while the house is small and not ideal, it’s the only permanent home she has known.