Study Guide: The House on Mango Street
Genre: Is This a Novel?
Is The House on Mango Street a novel? Well, maybe it is a novella. It is hard to
categorize Cisneros' work and just because we cannot does not mean that the work is in
any way diminished. In fact, it may enhance its reputation in many ways. Cisneros breaks
the rules. She writes a work of fiction and she does not follow the conventional rules of
plot or form. Is it prose? Mostly, but there are certain chapters which are sort of prose
poems ("My Name" or "Geraldo No Last Name" or "Darius & the Clouds"). Because she
breaks the rules, Cisneros creates something new and it is up to you to decide if what she
has created speaks to you. Breaking the rules is important sometimes, especially when it
comes to art, science and creativity. It is why it is important to learn the rules in the first
place. Learn what has been done and what has worked well in the past. Learn to use all of
the techniques and ideas that others have devised and then you can put them together in
new ways. It is a cliché, but we do stand on the shoulders of giants. Experiment. Be
brave. (Not everyone will like what you come up with.) Learn the rules so that you know
where they will take you. Then, IF YOU HAVE A GOOD REASON, break a few. Just
make sure you know why you are doing it and are willing to take the risk and brave the
consequences.
Theme:
1. Dreams, expectations, hopes, desires, disappointment, home, identity and lack of
identity, relationships, loneliness, colors, shoes (and feet), community, trees, yards (and
parks), nuns, etc. are only several of the motifs present in this book. As you read, take
note of any and all other motifs that you recognize.
2.The theme of Esperanza being ashamed of her economic status is a prominent one in
the book. Esperanza does not exactly feel ashamed of her family; in fact, the family is
generally close-knit and happy, but she is keenly aware of the disadvantages of being
poor, and has dreamt of prosperity from a very young age. When she says, “I knew then
I had to have a house,” the reader sees the first example of her independence: it seems
that she wants a house of her own, and is determined to get one.
Esperanza sees through her parents’ wishful thinking in an almost cynical way
(her father talks about the house they will get as he holds a lottery ticket). She doesn’t
seem to trust them to acquire what the whole family wants: a spacious, beautiful house.
She juxtaposes her parents’ fantasies with the reality they provide her with: a house that
is too small, in a bad neighborhood. “I know how these things go” (p.5), she says wisely,
when her parents insist that the house on Mango is not permanent. Her parents are
almost like children in her eyes: she seems to know more about life than they do.
*Note: As you read, take note of recurring themes and imagery (motifs); such as “Trees.”
You will notice “Trees” in the first vignette, and throughout the entire book. Also take
note of elements such as colors, what is their significance? Why?
Vignette Study Questions: *********Answer All Questions on a Separate Sheet of
Paper******
“House on Mango Street”
1. In the Vignette: “The House on Mango Street,” two types of houses are
contrasted by two different colors. What are the colors of each, and what do
you think the significance of each color is in reference to the house?
2. What poetic device is being used when the author describes the house as: “It’s
small and red with tight steps in front and windows so small you’d think they
were holding their breath” (p. 4)? What is implied through this device?
3. In describing her house, or where she lives, what does Esperanza convey
about her identity?
4. In what ways are the themes of “free-will” and “fate,” or “luck” described in
this vignette?
“Hairs”
1. What poetic device is being used to describe the “hair” of each member of the
family? What do the descriptions symbolize? What do you think the
significance is to each character?
a. Similes:
b. Metaphors:
c. Personification:
2. What is this vignette about? Try to answer this and do not mention the topic
hair. When you have done so, you will have mentioned the theme.
“Boys and Girls”
1. Take note of when Esperanza says: “Someday I will have a best friend of my own.
One I can tell my secrets to” (p. 9). This theme will come up again in the novel. For
now, explain what this quotation says about her sense of identity, her relation to those
around her, her sense of self.
2. “Until then I am like a red balloon, a balloon tied to an anchor” (p. 9). What is the
anchor? What do you think is the thing in her life that is holding her in place? What will
free her?
a. Take note of the color red and the context in which it is being used.
“My Name”
1. How does Esperanza feel about her name?
2. Why does Esperanza feel sorry for her great-grandmother?
3. Explain what you think Esperanza means by: “she looked out the window her whole
life, the way so many women sit their sadness on an elbow” (p.11).
4. What does Esperanza mean by “I have inherited her name, but I don’t want to inherit
her place by the window” (p.11).
5a. Take note of the “window,” as this symbolic motif will recur many times
throughout the novel.
5. How does Esperanza’s name differ to her from English to Spanish?
“Cathy Queen of Cats”
1. What does Cathy’s comment about the neighborhood getting bad mean to Esperanza?
2. Why is Cathy’s family about to move and what does this mean to Esperanza?
3. What does Esperanza mean when she says that “In the meantime they’ll just have to
move a little farther north from Mango Street, a little farther away every time people like
us keep moving in” (13). Who are “people like us”?
“Our Good Day”
1. Esperanza has already expressed her sense of loneliness and desire for friendship.
How is friendship conveyed in this vignette? Do you think that Esperanza has made
friends? Is Cathy a friend? The sisters? Why?
“Laughter”
1. Quote a couple of the following poetic devices:
a. Similes:
“Gil’s Furniture Bought & Sold”
1. In most American societies, we would call Gil’s shop a “thrift store,” or an “antique
store.” What significance is created by the choice of expression: “Junk shop”?
2. What is significant about the imagery created through the setting in this vignette? (The
windows, the lights turned off, the golden glasses, etc.).
3. Cisneros draws a parallel between Esperanza and Gil: both are deeply attuned to
beauty, even in their impoverished surroundings. Their understanding of that beauty is
unspoken, however, and even Esperanza does not, perhaps, understand it fully.
a. Explain how Cisneros shows this in this vignette:
i. Similes:
ii. Metaphors:
4. Below are several examples of a literary technique known as: “stream of
consciousness.” Explain how Esperanza’s explanation of the music box is an example of
Stream of Consciousness:
1.
Psychology The conscious experience of an individual regarded as a
continuous, flowing series of images and ideas running through the mind.
Noun
2. Writing in which a character's perceptions, thoughts, and memories are presented
in an apparently random form, without regard for logical sequence, chronology, or
syntax. Often such writing makes no distinction between various levels of reality-such as dreams, memories, imaginative thoughts or real sensory perception.
stream of consciousness, the continuous flow of sense‐perceptions, thoughts,
feelings, and memories in the human mind; or a literary method of representing
such a blending of mental processes in fictional characters, usually in an
unpunctuated or disjointed form of interior monologue. The term is often used as
a synonym for interior monologue.
5. Why does Esperanza worry about appearing “stupid” to Nenny? Why does she claim
that Nenny is “stupider”?
“Meme Ortiz”
1. What do Meme’s two names and Esperanza’s desire for a different name tell you about
their views on their culture? Their link between personality, identity, and names?
2. In what ways does Esperanza highlight the poverty and sadness of her neighborhood in
this vignette?
3. List and explain the following poetic devices in this vignette:
a. Similes: There are several throughout the vignette
b. Personifications: There are several throughout the vignette
“Louie, His Cousin & His Other Cousin”
1. Take note of the colors yellow and white in this vignette.
2. Identify a simile in this vignette.
3. Identify an example of personification in this vignette.
4. What is Marin’s role in the family?
a. Take note of where Marin is situated in this vignette, for this is a very important
motif throughout the novel.
5. The yellow Cadillac in this vignette is thus far the only (material) luxury that is shown
on Mango Street. Do you think that it is significant that it is stolen? Why? Why not?
“Marin”
1. What are Marin’s goals in life? What does Marin feel will save her from her present
life and future?
a. Do her goals involve self-will, responsibility, and accountability for one’s self
and one’s life? (Explain both examples from this vignette).
b. Compare this theme to Esperanza’s father (Mr. Cordero) in the vignette “The
House on Mango Street.”
2. How does Marin value her identity/sense of self? How and for what does she want to
be recognized?
3. Identify an example of metaphor in this vignette.
“Those Who Don’t”
1. How does Esperanza feel about the people who come in her neighborhood by
“mistake”?
2. How does Esperanza feel about the people that live in her neighborhood?
3. How does Esperanza feel about other neighborhoods?
4. What does this vignette say about people and their prejudices?
“There Was an Old Woman She Had So Many Children She Didn’t Know What to
Do”
1. What is the role of the community/neighborhood in this vignette?
2. Poetic Devices: Give examples of the following poetic devices:
a. Alliteration (and consonance):
b. Similes: What type of tone do the similes convey in this vignette?
“Alicia Who Sees Mice”
1. How are women portrayed in this vignette?
2. What are Alicia’s ambitions?
3. What is Alicia “afraid of”? The vignette explains this literally, but try your best to
explain the figurative meaning.
4. Alicia can be viewed as the opposite of Marian because Alicia’s dreams are practical
and she realizes her ambition. Contrast Alicia and Marian.
“Darius & the Clouds”
1. Describe how Esperanza mourns the lack of beauty around her (in her neighborhood).
2. Describe how Esperanza (and Darius) find hope and beauty in their situation, their
setting.
3. Darius, “Who is sometimes stupid and mostly a fool,” says something profound. He
points out that you can see hope and beauty in the simplest of things. Darius says: “See
that. That’s G-d. G-d? somebody little asked. G-d, he said, and made it simple” (34).
a. What does the speaker (narrator) mean by saying that somebody “little” asked?
What is implied through this?
4. Is Darius wise? Is he smart? Is there a difference? Think about this question in the
context of this vignette.
“And Some More”
1. Take note of how pride and lack of pride of culture are represented again by saying:
“She got three last names and, let me see, two first names. One in English and one in
Spanish . . .” (p.35).
“The Family of Little Feet”
1. This vignette has a lot of detail about appearance. The vignette begins with
descriptions of the appearance of “The Family of Little Feet.” Explain how this portion
of the vignette is similar to the vignette “Hairs.”
2. This vignette expressed both Esperanza’s desire to grow up quick and the harsh reality
she must face when she appears to be older than she actually is. Explain why you think
Esperanza says: “We are tired of being beautiful,” and “But no one complains” (p.42).
“A Rice Sandwich”
1. This vignette is more pathetic than sad. Explain the tone of this vignette and how the
tone is produced.
2. In this vignette, Esperanza tries to be a part of something she sees as special. What is
the reality of the canteen? What does the reader understand that she does not?
3. As in the first vignette, “The House on Mango Street,” there is an appearance of the
nun motif. Explain what you think the role of the nun (character) is in this novel. In
other words, from a literary perspective, what is the nun’s purpose?
4. What made Esperanza cry? Be specific.
5. How are the themes of identity and home related in this vignette? Think about
Esperanza’s comment about the “raggedy men.”
“Chanclas”
1. Throughout the book, Esperanza is self-conscious about her appearance and identity;
describe why she is self-conscious about her identity and appearance in this vignette.
How does she overcome her feeling of uncertainly?
2. In this vignette, Esperanza’s character and attitude can be viewed in several different
ways. How do you view Esperanza in this vignette? Stuck-up? Shy? Sad? Pathetic? Just
like you would be?
“Hips”
No questions.
“The First Job”
1. Why does Esperanza feel that she needs to get a job?
2. In this vignette, Esperanza feels very self-conscious and hides. Explain several ways
in which she does this.
3. At the end of this vignette, Esperanza finally feels a sense of trust and begins to feel
comfortable, but then she is betrayed. How is she betrayed?
4. Why do you think Cisneros ends this vignette with the kiss without giving Esperanza’s
reaction? Knowing what you know of her character, what do you think her reaction is?
“Papa Who Wakes Up Tired in the Dark”
1. This vignette is very sad (at least to me): it expresses the relationship and bond
between Esperanza and her father. Describe how you see their relationship. What textual
evidence do you have from this vignette to support your view on their relationship?
2. Cisneros illustrates Mr. Cordero’s (Esperanza’s father) character by saying: “My papa,
his thick hands and thick shoes, who wakes up tired in the dark, who combs his hair with
water, drinks his coffee, and is gone before we wake” (p.57). Based on this brief
description, what type of man do you think he is? What does this tell you about his
identity?
3. Explain the simile: “Crumples like a coat and cries” (56).
4. Do you see Esperanza maturing in this vignette? How? Why?