Literary Terms
A figure of speech in which a person, situation, word, or object is used to represent another thing.
What is symbolism?
Single mother to a large sum of reckless children.
Who is Rosa Vargas?
The name of the author.
Who is Sandra Cisneros?
A childish and innocent symbol used to represent hope and finding beauty in the hard things.
What are clouds?
“I have begun my own quiet war.”
Who is Esperanza?
The placement of two contrasting objects or ideas next to each other to emphasize their differences.
What is juxtaposition?
A young woman who takes two trains and a bus to pursue college education.
Who is Alicia?
The author's known style of writing, as exemplified in The House on Mango Street.
What is vignettes?
Used to represent the longing and trapped nature of women in this culture.
What is looking out the window?
"That one next to the one that look like popcorn. That one there. See that. That’s God."
Who is Darius?
A literary device that blends two or more senses together to describe an object or experience.
What is synesthesia?
An immigrant man who danced with Marin the night of his death.
Who is Geraldo?
City in which the novel is set.
What is Chicago?
Used to represent the childish nature of Esperanza.
What are saddle shoes?
“You must keep writing. It will keep you free.”
Who is Aunt Lupe?
A genre of novel that shows a young protagonist's journey from childhood to adulthood.
What is bildungsroman?
A young woman who spends her time babysitting and dreaming about escaping Mango Street through marriage.
Who is Marin?
Cultural background of both the author and narrator.
What is Mexican-American or Chicana?
Used to represent the strength and resilience of Esperanza, despite her impoverish childhood.
What are four skinny trees?
"When you leave you must remember to come back for the others. A circle, understand?"
Who are The Three Sisters?
A literary work that acts a critique on societal issues.
What is social commentary?
Esperanza's school friend who was abused by her father before entering an oppressive marriage with a much older man.
Who is Sally?
Who is the women?
Once a symbol of Esperanza's imaginative nature, but later becomes a symbol of Esperanza’s disillusionment and loss of innocence.
What is the monkey garden?
"Ah yes, a home in the heart. I see a home in the heart."
Who is Elenita?