Friday, August 1, 2008

The House on Mango Street

Bibliography:

Cisneros, S. (1984). The House on Mango Street. New York: Vintage Books, 110 pp.

Genre:

Autobiographical Novella

Esperanza, a 12-year-old, Mexican-American girl, moves with her family into a house on Mango Street in mid-twentieth century Chicago. She shares charming and often sad insights for a year of her life through this collection of 44 vignettes.

Esperanza’s vignettes yield many consistent themes. She is disappointed with her lot in life and is embarrassed of her poverty and home. As an immigrant she resents the prejudice she experiences at school, but also longs to escape her uncomfortable community where people work hard, but never get ahead.

Esperanza is caught between childhood and maturity. Her blooming sexuality is confusing and painful. In one vignette she describes being uncomfortable when an older coworker forcefully kisses her.

As Esperanza observes her friends and neighbors experiences with men, she becomes disillusioned. Esperanza’s first sexual experience occurs after Sally leaves her alone at the fair. After Esperanza is assaulted, she confronts Sally with a great deal of hostility.

In Esperanza’s last vignette “Mango Says Goodbye Sometimes,” she seems to find peace with Mango Street by accepting that she will be from Mango Street because she will be one of the people who leaves for better opportunities, but does not forget to return.

I recommend The House of Mango Street for Independent Reading for Ages 12 and up.

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