characters
This girl is the narrator of the story
Esperanza
This theme explores how Esperanza wants to escape her environment and create her own future.
freedom / independence
This structure symbolizes dreams of escape.
house on Mango street
The book opens with a description of this
House on Mango street
Esperanza’s younger sister who is often seen as her shadow.
Nenny
The story highlights the ongoing societal issue especially for women in Esperanza’s neighborhood.
gender inequality
Esperanza wants one of these of her own to be free
a house
Esperanza visits this character who is sick and eventually dies
Aunt lupe
These two girls become Esperanza’s friends but are considered a bad influence.
Lucy and Rachel
Esperanza’s identity is strongly tied to this concept shown in her name and heritage.
cultural identity
These animals are often used as symbols of vulnerability.
cats
These shoes make Esperanza and her friends feel grown-up
High- heeled shoes
This woman dreams of leaving Mango Street but is trapped in her home by marriage.
Rafaela
Many portraits show the struggles of this economic class.
working class / poverty
These shoes are a symbol of maturity
high heels
Esperanza is assaulted in this place
The carnival
He dies in the story and Esperanza experiences death for the first time.
Her grandfather
The feeling of being disconnected for something more.
hope
This object belonging to Aunt Lupe represents Esperanza’s writing talent
a book / poem
At the end of the book Esperanza expresses her desire to do this.
To leave Mango street and write stories about it