The House of
Mango Street
**"The House on Mango Street"** is a novel by Sandra Cisneros that tells the
story of Esperanza Cordero, a young Latina girl growing up in Chicago. Here are
the answers to your questions based on the first vignette of the book:
1. **How many members were there in Esperanza’s family? What were their
names?**
- Esperanza’s family consists of six members: her parents, herself, her younger
sister Nenny (Magdalena), and her two younger brothers, Carlos and Kiki.
2. **Why did they have to leave the flat on Loomis?**
- Esperanza's family had to leave the flat on Loomis because the pipes broke,
and the landlord refused to repair them. This made the apartment
uninhabitable.
3. **Why did Esperanza’s family move to the house on Mango Street?**
- They moved to the house on Mango Street because they needed a place to
live quickly after leaving the Loomis flat, and it was what they could afford. The
move also fulfilled their long-standing dream of owning a house, though it
wasn't what they had initially imagined.
4. **What was the house of Esperanza’s dreams like?**
- The house of Esperanza’s dreams is a large, beautiful, white house with a big
yard, trees, and lots of space. It is clean, well-maintained, and symbolizes
stability and pride—something far removed from the reality of the house on
Mango Street.
5. **What were the positive aspects of living in this new house?**
- The positive aspects include the fact that it was a house they owned, with no
landlord, and they didn’t have to worry about noise bothering neighbors since it
was their own space.
6. **Why wasn’t Esperanza happy about living in this house?**
- Esperanza wasn’t happy about living in the house on Mango Street because it
was small, cramped, and in poor condition, far from the beautiful home her
parents had promised. It didn’t meet her expectations or desires for a better life.
7. **Why was the nun surprised when Esperanza pointed at her flat back in
Loomis?**
- The nun was surprised because the building Esperanza pointed to was run-
down and dilapidated, and the nun couldn't believe someone lived there. This
moment made Esperanza feel embarrassed and ashamed of her living
conditions.
8. **What does Esperanza mean in the last paragraph?**
- In the last paragraph, Esperanza reflects on the disparity between her
dreams and her reality. She yearns for a home that represents stability, comfort,
and pride—something she feels the house on Mango Street does not provide.
She implies that her current situation is not permanent and hints at her desire
for a better future.
9. **What topics are covered in this vignette?**
- The vignette covers themes such as the struggle for a better life, the realities
of poverty, the contrast between dreams and reality, the importance of home
and identity, and the experience of shame and disappointment. It also touches
on the hopes and aspirations of immigrant families seeking to improve their
living conditions.
2. HAIRS
### **About the Vignette "Hairs"**
**What is this vignette about?**
The vignette "Hairs" is about the individuality and uniqueness of
each family member in Esperanza's household. Through the
description of each person, the reader gets a sense of their
distinct personalities and the special bond they share. The
vignette also highlights Esperanza's deep admiration and
affection for her mother, portraying her as a source of comfort
and warmth.
**Why is this vignette entitled "Hairs"?**
The vignette is entitled "Hairs" because it uses the different
textures and qualities of each family member's hair as a
metaphor to illustrate their uniqueness and individuality. Hair
serves as a physical manifestation of their identities and the
familial connection that ties them together.
**What does the reader learn about Esperanza’s family through
this chapter?**
Through this vignette, the reader learns that Esperanza's family
is closely knit, with each member possessing their own distinct
characteristics. The descriptions of their hair serve as a window
into their personalities, showing the diversity within the family
unit. The vignette also reveals the deep bond and affection that
Esperanza feels, especially towards her mother.
**What were Esperanza’s feelings towards her mother?**
Esperanza’s feelings towards her mother are filled with love,
comfort, and admiration. She views her mother's presence as
nurturing and protective, and she finds a sense of safety and
warmth when she is near her. This is especially evident in the
way Esperanza describes her mother's hair, associating it with
the comforting smell of bread and the safety of being close to
her.
### **Rewriting the Vignette as a Poem**
**Hairs**
Everybody in our family
3. BOYS AND GIRLS
### **Analysis of the Vignette "Boys and Girls"**
**What do you learn about the narrator's culture from the way the children are
thought of and the way the children behave?**
The vignette reflects a culture where gender roles are clearly defined and
influence the way children are perceived and how they interact with one
another. Boys and girls are expected to have separate lives and interests; boys
stick together and have more freedom, while girls are more confined to their
roles within the family and household. This cultural norm enforces a division
between genders, where boys are seen as more independent and girls are
expected to take on more domestic responsibilities.
**What was Esperanza’s brothers’ attitude towards her at home and outside?
**
At home, Esperanza’s brothers, Carlos and Kiki, interact with her, but outside,
they maintain a distance. They do not associate with Esperanza in public,
adhering to the unspoken rule that boys and girls should not be seen together.
This behavior reflects the societal expectations that boys and girls should lead
separate lives, reinforcing the idea of gender separation.
**Why couldn’t Nenny be Esperanza’s friend?**
Nenny, Esperanza’s younger sister, couldn't be her friend because of the age
difference and the responsibilities that Esperanza feels towards her. Nenny is
too young to share Esperanza’s thoughts and feelings, and Esperanza sees her
more as someone she needs to look after rather than as a peer. Moreover,
Esperanza longs for a friend who understands her on a deeper level, someone
she can confide in and who shares her experiences and dreams.
**Why did Esperanza want to have a best friend?**
Esperanza wanted a best friend because she felt lonely and disconnected. She
longed for someone who could understand her, someone she could share
secrets, dreams, and the struggles of growing up. A best friend would provide
the companionship and emotional support that she couldn't find within her
family, particularly due to the gender divide and the gap between her and
Nenny.
**What does this vignette tell the reader about the relationship between males
and females?**
The vignette reveals that the relationship between males and females is
influenced by rigid gender roles, creating a divide that dictates their behavior
and interactions. Boys and girls are expected to stay within their own worlds,
which fosters a sense of separation and inequality. This division also highlights
the limited roles and freedoms afforded to girls in comparison to boys, who are
seen as more autonomous and less tied to the family.
**"Until then I am like a red balloon, a balloon tied to an anchor." (page 9)
What is the anchor? What is the thing in her life that is holding her in place?
What will free her?**
The "anchor" in this metaphor represents the cultural and societal expectations
placed on Esperanza, particularly the gender roles that confine her and prevent
her from expressing herself freely. The anchor could also symbolize her sense
of responsibility towards her family, especially towards Nenny, and the lack of a
true friend who understands her. What will free her is finding someone who
shares her dreams and ambitions—perhaps a close friend or mentor—or
breaking away from these restrictive norms to pursue her own path and
identity.
This vignette captures the complexities of growing up as a girl in a culture that
enforces strict gender roles, and it poignantly conveys Esperanza’s yearning for
connection and freedom.
4. MY NAME
### **Analysis of the Vignette "My Name"**
**Why didn’t Esperanza like her name?**
Esperanza didn’t like her name because she felt it was heavy with sadness and carried
negative connotations. In English, it sounds harsh to her, and in Spanish, it carries the
weight of her grandmother's tragic life. She associates her name with struggles and the
limitations imposed on women in her culture.
**Who had she been named after?**
Esperanza was named after her great-grandmother, a woman who was strong-willed but
ultimately lived a life of regret and submission after being forced into marriage.
**What was Esperanza’s great-grandmother like?**
Esperanza’s great-grandmother was a strong and independent woman who refused to
conform to traditional expectations. However, she was eventually forced into marriage
against her will, which led to a life of sadness and frustration. She spent her days looking
out the window, a symbol of her lost freedom and unfulfilled potential.
**Why would she have liked to know her?**
Esperanza would have liked to know her great-grandmother because she identifies with
her strength and defiance. She sees a part of herself in this woman who refused to be
tamed, even though her spirit was ultimately broken. Esperanza feels a connection to her
great-grandmother’s unfulfilled desires and wishes to break free from the same fate.
**What kind of name would Esperanza like to have?**
Esperanza would like to have a name that reflects her true self—something more vibrant,
powerful, and unique. She imagines a name that captures her dreams and aspirations,
one that embodies the independence and freedom she desires. She wishes for a name
that could better represent her identity and her desire to rise above the expectations
placed on her by her culture.
**Important Images and Their Significance:**
- **"A muddy color":** This image reflects how Esperanza sees her name as something
dull and weighed down by sadness, much like the murky, unclear appearance of mud.
- **"A wild horse of a woman":** This description of her great-grandmother symbolizes
both the strength and the tragedy of being forced into a life that limited her true potential.
It is an image of power constrained by societal expectations.
- **"The window":** The window where her great-grandmother sat reflects confinement
and longing, symbolizing the barriers women face in their pursuit of independence and
self-expression.
**What has caused her to think negatively about her name?**
Esperanza's negative feelings toward her name are rooted in the story of her great-
grandmother, who was strong but ultimately subdued by societal expectations. Her name,
carrying the legacy of a woman who was not able to live life on her own terms, represents
the limitations and sadness that Esperanza fears might also define her own life. The
cultural expectations around women and the association of her name with these ideas
have caused her to think negatively about it.
**What do you learn about Esperanza's Mexican culture that was foreshadowed in the
vignette "Boys and Girls"?**
In "Boys and Girls," we learn about the strict gender roles and expectations that separate
boys and girls, and this theme is further explored in "My Name." Esperanza's Mexican
culture places significant expectations on women, often limiting their independence and
forcing them into roles that stifle their potential. The story of her great-grandmother
foreshadows the limitations and struggles that women face, echoing the gender divisions
and societal pressures mentioned in "Boys and Girls." The culture's tendency to assign
women roles that are subservient to men and to limit their freedom is a key issue that
Esperanza grapples with in both vignettes.
5. CATHY QUEEN
OF CATS
"Cathy Queen of Cats"
Why is this vignette entitled ‘Cathy Queen of Cats’? What was
Cathy like? What do you learn about bigotry from Cathy?
What do you learn about Alicia? Why do you think Alicia
stopped friendly with Cathy? What do you learn about
Esperanza from the way she accepts the stories from Cathy?
What does Esperanza mean when she says “people like
us” towards the end of the vignette? Why do they come to
Mango St?
This vignette is entitled "Cathy Queen of Cats" because Cathy
is portrayed as a dominant and independent figure, much like
a queen, and her fondness for cats reinforces this image.
Cathy is described as a beautiful, intelligent, and strong-willed
girl who is not afraid to speak her mind.
Through Cathy's character, we learn about bigotry and
prejudice, as she makes derogatory comments about
Mexicans and the poor living conditions on Mango Street. This
reveals her own biases and lack of understanding.
Alicia, on the other hand, is depicted as a kind and friendly
person who initially befriends Cathy. However, Alicia stops
being friendly with Cathy because she realizes Cathy's bigotry
and doesn't want to associate with someone who holds such
views.
Esperanza learns about the importance of empathy and
understanding through Cathy's stories. She accepts the
stories without judgment, showing her willingness to listen
and learn from others.
When Esperanza says "people like us," she refers to those
who are marginalized, poor, and struggling to find their place
in society. She identifies with Cathy's stories and recognizes
that they share similar experiences.
The family comes to Mango Street because they are forced to
move from their previous home, and Mango Street is the only
affordable option. This highlights the struggles of poverty and
the limitations of their economic situation.
Overall, this vignette explores themes of identity, community,
and social class, and sets the stage for Esperanza's journey of
self-discovery and growth.
6. OUR GOOD DAY
In "Our Good Day", Rachel and Lucy are two sisters who
befriend Esperanza. They are described as having "pigtails"
and wearing "yellow dresses".
Esperanza makes the choice to approach Rachel and Lucy and
initiate a friendship. This shows her willingness to take risks
and connect with others.
The five dollars is important because it allows Esperanza to
buy a bike, which symbolizes freedom and independence.
Esperanza makes friends with Rachel and Lucy by showing
interest in their bike and asking to ride it. Cathy reacts
negatively, likely due to her own biases and jealousy.
Esperanza is surprised when her new friends don't react
negatively to her name, suggesting that she expected them to
share Cathy's prejudices.
Adjectives and phrases that describe Rachel, Lucy, and the
bike include:
- Rachel and Lucy: "pigtails", "yellow dresses", "smiling"
- Bike: "beautiful", "shiny", "red"
The title "Our Good Day" reflects the positive experience
Esperanza has with her new friends.
Themes in this vignette include:
- Friendship and connection
- Overcoming prejudices and biases
- Independence and freedom
- Joy and happiness
- Self-discovery and growth
Overall, this vignette highlights Esperanza's desire for
connection and her ability to form meaningful relationships
despite the challenges she faces.
7. LAUGHTER
The chapter is called "Laughter" because it
explores the different ways people express joy
and happiness.
Lucy and Rachel are similar in their carefree
and playful nature, which is reflected in their
contagious laughter.
Esperanza describes Lucy and Rachel's
laughter as "all their own", comparing it to "a
portable picnic" - a metaphor that suggests
their laughter is a joyful, shareable, and
infectious experience.
In contrast, Esperanza describes Nenny's and
her own laughter as "a small, shy animal" - a
metaphor that suggests their laughter is more
reserved and hesitant.
The theme of the vignette goes beyond the
surface-level description of laughter,
exploring:
- The power of joy and playfulness in
relationships
- The contrast between carefree and reserved
2personalities
- The idea that laughter can be a unique
expression of one's identity
- The theme of identity and self-expression
By exploring these themes, the vignette
reveals more about the characters'
personalities, relationships, and emotional
lives than the surface-level facts presented.
8. GIL'S
FURNITURE
BOUGHT AND SOLD
"Gil's Furniture Bought and Sold"
Who was the owner of the store? What had Esperanza’s family
bought from Gil? What was the store like? In other
words, how is it described? What was sold at the store? Why does
he not turn on the lights when the girls are there?
What can we infer? What did the girls see at the store that
astonished them? Why was Esperanza disappointed when
she saw the music box? Why were they impressed? How does
Esperanza describe the sounds of the music box? What
does the astute reader learn about Esperanza from this vignette?
You want the answers in English. Here they are:
- The owner of the store was Gil.
- Esperanza's family had bought a refrigerator and a stove from
Gil's store.
- The store is described as a dark, cluttered, and smelly place.
- The store sold used items, including furniture, appliances, and
personal belongings.
- Gil doesn't turn on the lights when the girls are there because the
store is messy and he doesn't want them to see its condition.
- We can infer that Gil is a poor man and his business is not doing
well.
- The girls are astonished by the variety of strange and old objects
sold in the store.
- Esperanza is disappointed when she sees the music box because
she expected something more exciting.
- They are impressed by the beauty and complexity of the music
box.
- Esperanza describes the sounds of the music box as "sad and
sweet melodies".
- The astute reader learns that Esperanza is a curious and sensitive
girl who values beauty and music and is beginning to question her
surroundings and her place in the world.
