Literary Terms
Culture
About the Author
Themes
Quotes
100
a common thread or repeated idea used throughout a literary work
What is theme
100
Mexico
What is where is Esperanza from
100
The author of The House on Mango Street
What is Sandra Cisneros
100
"The House on Mango Street"
What is home
100
"I am tired of looking at what we can't have."
What is the theme of home, Esperanza doesn't like their home and wants a better one
200
Something that, on the surface, is its literal self, but it also has another meaning, or even several meanings
What is symbolism
200
Chicago
What is where does Esperanza live now
200
The birthplace of the author
What is Chicago, Illinois
200
"My Name"
What is identity
200
"But what I remember most is Mango Street, sad red house, the house I belong but do not belong to."
What is theme: Home- she's describing the place she lives, the house on Mango Street Identity- her history on Mango Street has made her who she is, influenced her growing up
300
the contrast of two dissimilar ideas to create a certain effect
What is juxtaposition
300
"...it means too many letters. It means sadness. It means waiting."
What is Esperanza's name in Spanish
300
The known style of writing this author uses in The House on Mango Street
What are vignettes
300
"Hips"
What is growing up/maturing
300
"She says she's in love, but I think she did it to escape."
What is theme of Home- Sally got married to get away from her dad, but her new home is similar to the old one. Identity- Sally identifies with men who will abuse her. Heritage- many Latino women are in controlling relationships and marry young
400
a "coming of age" novel
What is bildungsroman
400
A symbol of Esperanza's "deep-rooted" culture
What are trees
400
A teacher, a poet-in the schools, a college recruiter, and an arts administrator
What are jobs Sandra Cisneros has held
400
"Marin"
What is the role of women in Latino society
400
"I have begun my own quiet war."
What is theme: Identity- she doesn't like the way she looks or her role as a Latino woman, wants to change it Heritage- wants to change how a traditional Latino woman lives
500
the act of expressing an opinion on the nature of society
What is social commentary
500
One role of women in Latino society
What is housewife/mother
500
A las Mujeres To the women
What is who The House on Mango Street is dedicated to
500
Home, Identity, Heritage
What are the three themes repeated throughout the end of the novel
500
"They will not know I have gone away to come back. For the ones I left behind. For the ones who cannot out."
What is theme: Heritage- Esperanza will come back to show the traditional Latinas that there is more to life than home, family, cooking, etc.