Having read the vignette "My Name" in THOMS, remember the essay we read
"Names/Nombres by Julia Alvarez. In the chart below, map out some of the similarities and
differences between the two pieces.
Similarities
1
Differences
Here are some phrases we use to compare and contrast. Pick two and use them in a sentence.
1.
2.
Write a paragraph containing at least 5 sentences comparing and contrasting the two texts.
Use examples.
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Gil's Furniture Bought & Sold - There Was an Old Woman
Based on your reading, describe the following characters: Gil, Meme, and Louis’s other cousin.
1) Gil
A) Fill in the chart
Trait:
Quote that backs it up:
Trait:
Quote that backs it up:
Trait:
Quote that backs it up:
B) Based on this information, describe Gil’s character in 3 sentences or more.
2) Meme
A) Fill in the chart
Trait:
Quote that backs it up:
Trait:
Quote that backs it up:
Trait:
Quote that backs it up:
B) Based on this information, describe Meme’s character in 3 sentences or more.
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3) Louie’s other cousin
A) Fill in the chart
Trait:
Quote that backs it up:
Trait:
Quote that backs it up:
Trait:
Quote that backs it up:
B) Based on this information, describe the cousin’s character in 3 sentences or more.
Why do you think the author chose to describe all these side characters in depth? How does it enrich
the text and add to our understanding of Esperanza’s experience? Write yourself a few notes in the
box, and then record your answer on vocaroo.com and upload it to classroom.
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Alicia Who Sees Mice - A Rice Sandwich
A deeper look into “ A Rice Sandwich”
1. What is the main difference between Esperanza and her mother?
2. What is her Mother’s point of view?
3. In what lines do you see it (count and write the numbers)
4. What is her point of view?
5. In what lines do you see it (count and write the numbers)
6. What does it show about the difference between their generations?
7. Write a pros and cons list of whether or not to eat at home.
Pros:
Cons:
Bonus: Think of your own typical school lunchtime experience. Describe it:
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Chanclas - Born Bad
During these vignettes, we see Esperanza develop into a teenager. We see that she relates to her
changing body differently, gets her first job, and for the first time experiences loss of family
members.
In the Vignettes Chanclas and Hips, she discovers her body.
Chanclas
1. How does she feel about her feet in Chanclas?
2. Find two quotes to support your idea.
3. Why do you think this is a sign of becoming a teenager?
4. Is there a positive or exciting part of becoming a teenager that comes up in this vignette?
What is it?
5. Can you relate or remember a similar event in your life? What was it and how does it
connect?
Hips
1. Who discusses with Esperanza the appearance of her hips?
2. What are their theories of growth?
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3. What can we learn from this snapshot into Esperanza’s experience?
Think about your own experience. Do you have family members, good friends, or anyone else who
you can talk to about growing into a teenager?
Bonus
Esperanza’s growth and changing body is then contrasted with Aunt Lupe’s dying body. Discuss the
power that this contrast has, and talk about why you think the author may have chosen to put these
vignettes so close together.
One of the most heart breaking moments of the book is the death of Abuelito. Esperanza’s father is
not there for his father’s death because they live in America, while his father is in Mexico.
How does the father feel?
What do you think is Esperanza’s reaction to this news?
Our question about what it means to be bicultural is strongly related to this vignette. Have you or your
parents ever missed a big family event because of your distance? Can you describe the situation?
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Elenita, Cards, Palm, Water - No Speak English
Mood is the emotional effect that a text creates for the audience, the way the reader
feels when reading a work. It is the atmosphere that an author creates in a literary work
with the intention of evoking a certain emotion or feeling from the reader. Mood may
be created by a combination of such elements as setting, figurative language, and
vocabulary.
Examples of Some Mood Words
POSITIVE MOOD WORDS
amused awed bouncy calm cheerful
chipper confident
contemplative content determined
dignified dreamy ecstatic
empowered energetic enlightened
enthralled excited exhilarated flirty
giddy grateful harmonious
hopeful hyper idyllic joyous
jubilant liberating light-­‐hearted
loving mellow nostalgic optimistic
passionate peaceful playful pleased
refreshed rejuvenated relaxed
relieved satiated satisfied
sentimental silly surprised
sympathetic thankful thoughtful
touched trustful vivacious warm
welcoming
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NEGATIVE MOOD WORDS
aggravated annoyed anxious
apathetic apprehensive barren
brooding cold confining confused
cranky crushed cynical depressed
desolate disappointed discontented
distressed drained dreary
embarrassed enraged envious
exhausted fatalistic foreboding
frustrated futile
gloomy grumpy haunting
heartbroken hopeless hostile
indifferent infuriated
insidious intimidated
irate irritated jealous
lethargic lonely
melancholic merciless
moody morose
nauseated nervous
nightmarish numb
overwhelmed painful
pensive pessimistic
predatory rejected
restless scared serious
sick somber stressed
suspenseful tense
terrifying threatening
uncomfortable vengeful
violent worried
Complete the graphic organizer below. Choose three vignettes from those we just
read. What mood is established in each vignette? Provide a concrete detail and
commentary that support your interpretation of the mood.
Quotation that reveals mood
One sentence of commentary to explains
how the quote establishes mood
Mood Word ______________________
Vignette
Commentary:
Page Number:
______
Quotation:
Mood Word ______________________
Vignette
Commentary:
Page Number:
______
Quotation:
Mood word: _______
Page Number: ______
Quotation:
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Vignette
Commentary:
Rafaela Who Drinks Coconut - What Sally Said
Female Characters
Please examine the similarities and differences between Esperanza and three other female
characters in the book: Sally, Refela, and Minerva. Aspects that a character shares with
Esperanza (ways in which they are alike) should be written in the left-­‐hand column; aspects
that are unique to a character (ways in which the character is different from Esperanza) should
be listed in the right-­‐hand column.
Character #1 Sally
Aspects Shared with
Esperanza
Aspects Unique to this
Character
Character #2 Refaela
Aspects Shared with
Esperanza
Aspects Unique to this
Character
Character #3 Minerva
Aspects Shared with
Esperanza
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Aspects Unique to this
Character
Why do you think all three of these women are given their own chapter? What can we learn about the
experience of women in Esperanza’s world?
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The Monkey Garden - Mango Says Goodbye Sometimes
With these final vignettes, Sinostros finishes the novel.
Sally, Esperanza’s friend, becomes a tragic figure who shows how life for women growing up on
Mango Street can turn out.
It is the day after Red Clowns. Write the whatsapp conversation between Sally and
Esperanza. It must be at least 10 lines.
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It is the day of Sally’s wedding. Write the Whatsapp messages that Esperanza sends her.
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We are about to leave The House on Mango St. Free write here some of the things you will be taking
away with you from the novel. What spoke to you? How did you relate to Esperanza’s experience?
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Final Analysis
The House on Mango Street addresses numerous social issues such as housing,
education, the environment, prejudice, the treatment of women, poverty, and
immigrant struggles. Select three (3) key social issues that are represented in the
book, provide a brief explanation of how this issue is addressed in the story and
two concrete details for each.
Social Issue:
Concrete Details:
How the issue is addressed:
1.
2.
Social Issue:
Concrete Details:
1.
How the issue is addressed:
2.
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Social Issue:
Concrete Details:
1.
How the issue is addressed:
2.
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