Theme
"We didn't always live on Mango Street. Before that, we lived on Loomis on the third floor, and before that, we lived on Keeler. Before Keeler, it was Paulina, and before that, I can't remember."
What theme is being reflected in Esperanza's constant moving and multiple "temporary" homes?
Identity and/or Belonging
"Nenny is too young to be my friend. She's just my sister, and that was not my fault."
How does the protagonist's perspective on her sister Nenny reveal her character development and feelings toward her family?
Esperanza often expresses frustration and a sense of limitation when it comes to her younger sister Nenny. She perceives Nenny as too young to be her friend, and she feels a sense of responsibility for her.
"Not her fault" suggests a certain level of resentment or frustration with her family situation. It hints at the fact that she might feel burdened by her familial responsibilities.
"The house is small and red with tight steps in front and windows so small you'd think they were holding their breath."
How does the author's use of descriptive language in this passage contribute to the overall mood and atmosphere of the story?
The descriptive language in this passage helps establish the mood of the story as one marked by confinement, constraint, and tension. It sets the tone for the exploration of the characters' experiences and challenges in their neighborhood.
This tool helps you keep track of appointments, tasks, and assignment due dates.
What is a calendar/planner?
What do you call a bear with no teeth?
What is a gummy bear?
"Someday, I will have a best friend all my own. One I can tell my secrets to. One who will understand my jokes without me having to explain them."
How does the desire for a true and understanding friend connect to a recurring theme in "The House on Mango Street"?
Theme: Loneliness/Isolation
She longs for deeper connections with others, particularly for the kind of friendship where she can share her secrets and be understood without having to explain herself.
"Esperanza watched the other kids playing in the street, and she wished she could join them. She felt a mix of excitement and frustration."
Based on this passage, how would you characterize Esperanza's feelings and desires at this point in the story, and what do you think this reveals about her character?
Desire for a sense of belonging/Frustration with her lifestyle.
Overall, this passage reveals Esperanza's character as a young girl who is navigating the complexities of growing up, seeking connection, and striving to find her place in her community.
"Four skinny trees with skinny necks and pointy elbows like mine. Four who do not belong here but are here. Four raggedy excuses planted by the city. From our room we can hear them, but Nenny just sleeps and doesn't appreciate these things."
How does the description and placement of the four skinny trees in this passage contribute to the mood and atmosphere of the story?
The four skinny trees emphasize themes of alienation, displacement, and the characters' longing for something different or more meaningful in their lives. These elements help set the tone for the exploration of Esperanza's experiences and emotions in the story.
To put out a small kitchen fire, you should remember to "Stop, Drop, and..." do this.
What is Roll?
What kind of tree fits in your hand?
"The way my mother talks, like running water, I think she's my friend."
What theme is hinted at in the protagonist's description of her mother's speech and their relationship?
Theme: Family/Bonds/Comfort/Familiarity
"Sire, his name is, and he is a dog the color of mud. He's got one white paw and a head the size of a door. When he jumps on you, you can feel his heart, a beat a long time, like it's a game."
How does the description of Sire, the neighbor's dog, reveal the author's ability to create vivid and memorable characters in the story?
There is a skillful use of descriptive language and sensory details that Cisneros uses to bring Sire to life in the reader's imagination. Ex: Vivid visual imagery, exaggerated characteristics, sensory details, NARRATIVE VOICE (BONUS)
"Alicia, who inherited her mother's rolling pin and sleepiness, is young and smart and studies for the first time at the university. Her future is already unfolding."
How does the author's use of foreshadowing in this passage enhance the reader's understanding of Alicia's character and her potential role in the story?
Cisneros is suggesting that Alicia is a character with ambition, intelligence, and a promising future.
This skill involves taking ownership of your actions and their consequences.
What is accountability?
What do you call a fish with no eyes?
What is "Fsh"?
"I put it down on paper and then the ghost does not ache so much. I write it down, and Mango says goodbye sometimes. She does not hold me with both arms. She sets me free."
How does the act of writing in the protagonist's life relate to a key theme in the story?
Theme: Self-Expression/Empowerment
She mentions that when she puts her feelings and experiences down on paper, it helps ease the emotional pain or "ache." Writing becomes a way for her to process her thoughts and emotions.
"My mother's hair, my mother's hair, like little rosettes, like little candy circles all curly and pretty because she pinned it in pincurls all day, sweet to put your nose into when she is holding you, holding you and you feel safe, is the warm smell of bread before you bake it, is the smell when she makes room for you on her side of the bed still warm with her skin, and you sleep near her."
How does the detailed description of the protagonist's mother help in characterizing her, and what emotions does it evoke?
This detailed description of the mother characterizes her as a loving and caring presence in Esperanza's life, and it evokes emotions of comfort, safety, and a deep mother-daughter bond.
"In English, my name means hope. In Spanish, it means too many letters. It means sadness, it means waiting."
How does the protagonist's reflection on her name's meaning in different languages contribute to the theme of identity and language throughout the story?
Esperanza's contemplation of her name's meaning in different languages serves as a recurring motif that deepens the exploration of the theme of identity and language in the novel. IMPORTANT: She is forming an identity in a multicultural context.
To maintain a balanced diet, you should aim to consume a variety of foods from these five groups.
What are fruits, vegetables, grains, protein, and dairy?
What do you call a factory that makes okay products?
What is "A satisfactory"?
"The house on Mango Street is ours, and we don't have to pay rent to anybody, or share the yard with the people downstairs, or be careful not to make too much noise, and there isn't a landlord banging on the ceiling with a broom."
How does the concept of 'home' in this passage connect to one of the central themes in "The House on Mango Street," and what does it reveal about the characters' aspirations and dreams?
Theme: Desire for a Better Life/Sense of Belonging
This passage reflects their sense of pride and ownership in finally having a home that is truly theirs. It reveals the characters' dreams of stability, independence, and the opportunity to shape their lives according to their desires.
"Louie, his cousin, is coming in a yellow car that has a trunk big enough to hold a house, and Sally won't get in. She says his cousin is a bum and his car is a rag."
What does Sally's refusal to get into Louie's cousin's car reveal about her character, and how does it relate to her experiences in the neighborhood?
Sally's refusal to get into the car and her negative characterization of Louie's cousin and his car provide insight into her character, highlighting her cautious and streetwise nature. It also relates to the broader theme of navigating challenges and making choices in the neighborhood, which is a central aspect of the story.
"You can never have too much sky. You can fall asleep and wake up drunk on sky, and sky can keep you safe when you are sad. Here, there is too much sadness and not enough sky."
How does the author use metaphor and imagery in this passage to convey the importance of the sky and its connection to the story's themes?
By using metaphor and imagery to describe the sky in such a way, the author emphasizes the sky's role as a symbol of hope, escape, and emotional "rest". Esperanza is longing for something beyond her current reality/situation.
What month was Ms. Wyrick's born? (BONUS for the correct date)
What is June? (29th)
Why did the scarecrow win an award?
What is "because he was outstanding in his field"?