The House on Mango Street
Character Map
The House on Mango Street - Literary Elements & Nonfiction Terms
English 9
Understanding these words will directly affect your learning during this unit and your overall understanding of
The House on Mango Street.
1. Coming-of-age story - A novel in which an adolescent protagonist comes to adulthood by a
process of experience and disillusionment. This character loses his or her innocence,
discovers that previous preconceptions are false, or has the security of childhood torn away,
but usually matures and strengthens by this process
2. Discrimination - Treatment or consideration of a person based on the group, class, or
category to which that person belongs rather than on individual merit
a. Classism - The belief that people from certain social or economic classes are superior
to others; a biased or discriminatory attitude based on distinctions made between
social or economic classes
b. Racism - A belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human
races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that
one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others; hatred or intolerance of
another race or other races
c. Sexism - Discrimination or devaluation based on a person's sex, especially such
discrimination directed against women
3. Prejudice – Preconceived unfavorable feelings, opinions, or attitudes, especially of a hostile
nature, regarding a group of people
4. Figurative language – Language that communicates meaning beyond the literal meanings of
words (think connotation). In figurative language, words are often used to symbolize idea
and concepts they would not otherwise be associated with. Writers use figurative language
to create effects, to emphasize ideas, and to evoke emotions. (Simile, metaphor,
hyperbole, and personification are examples of figurative language.)
5. Stream of consciousness – Stream of consciousness is a literary technique developed by
modern writers, in which thoughts, feelings, moods, perceptions, and memories are
presented as they randomly flow through a character’s mind.
6. Structure – Structure is the way in which the parts of a work of literature are put together.
In prose, structure is the arrangement of larger units or parts of a work. Paragraphs, for
example, are basic units in prose, as are chapters in novels.
7. Style – The particular way in which a work of literature is written—not what is said but how
it is said. It is the writer’s unique way of communicating ideas. Many elements contribute
to style, including word choice, sentence structure and length, tone, figurative language,
and point of view. A literary style may be described in a variety of ways, such as formal,
informal, journalistic, conversational, wordy, ornate, poetic, or dynamic.
8. Tone – Tone is the attitude a writer takes toward a subject. Unlike mood, which is intended
to shape the reader’s emotional response, tone reflects the feelings of the writer. A writer
communicates tone through choice of words and details. Tone may often be described by a
single word, such as serious, humorous, formal, informal, somber, sarcastic, playful, ironic,
bitter, or objective.
9. Vignette – A short literary work or sketch
Talking to the Text: Annotating House on Mango Street with Post-its
Directions: You will be actively reading by “marking up” the text, or “talking to the
text” as you read using post-it notes. You will flag 5 specific categories as you read, and
should label each flag with the category and one comment about how the place in the
text connects to that category. These notes will help you write your paragraphs, write
your final essay, and prepare for quizzes. If you flag you may use your books during the
quizzes. You will also use your close reading of the text to answer questions about each
chapter. Your flags will be checked before each quiz.
When you come across the following categories you will:



Write the number of the category on your post-it
Write a notation on flag stating what part of the text it is about
Stick it on the page you find the quote as close to the quote as you can.
For example:
2
1
4
Espranza and Nenny
are sisters, but not
close friends
Esperanza describes
the different hair
types in her family
The family moves into
the house on Mango
street- it is their own
Categories:
1. Internal or external character traits: Any passage talking about a character’s thoughts,
feelings, emotions OR talking about a character’s personality, what he acts like, looks
like.
2. Relationships: Any important interactions between two characters.
3. Themes/Motifs: Note your thinking and questions as you encounter the different themes in
The House on Mango Street from the list below:
a. Identity & belonging
b. Dreams/The future
c. Gender Roles
d. Isolation & Betrayal
4. Importance of Place: In 1966, Cisneros’s family finally moved into a home of their own, the
title setting for The House on Mango Street. Throughout her life, and throughout
Esperanza’s life in the story, different places hold different important meaning. Note
these as you read, and attempt to explain/understand the significance of place forte
protagonist.
5. Style: Style is the particular way in which a work of literature is written—not what is said
but how it is said. Annotate the style of The House on mango Street by noting Cisneros’
use of imagery, word choice, sentence structure and length, tone, figurative language,
and point of view. Question to consider: What is Cisneros’s style? How would you
describe it? What about her style is unique or different from other works you have read?
The House on Mango Street – Section 1 Response
English 9
“The House on Mango Street”
1. List words and phrases that describe the house in “The House on Mango Street.” Then,
explain with 2-3 complete sentences how Esperanza feels about her home.
“Hairs”
2. Next to each character’s name, list the words Esperanza uses to describe his/her hair.
Below, explain what you think each description might indicate about the character’s
personality.

Papa: ___________________________________________________________________

Esperanza: _______________________________________________________________

Carlos: __________________________________________________________________

Nenny: __________________________________________________________________

Kiki: ____________________________________________________________________

Mama: __________________________________________________________________
“Boys and Girls”
3. Based on what is said in this chapter, how does Esperanza view herself? What about the
metaphor in the last sentence? What do you think it means?
“My Name”
4. Esperanza wants to baptize herself under a new name and likes “Zeze the X” in
particular. What does this indicate about her personality? How would she like to be
viewed?
“Cathy Queen of Cats”
5. In this chapter, Esperanza discusses some of her neighbors. What can we infer about
her neighborhood based on Esperanza’s descriptions?
The House on Mango Street – Journal 1 (Section 2 & 3)
English 9
Style – The manner of expression—how writers say whatever it is they say
Style



can be determined by examining the writer’s…
Word choice
Formation of sentences and paragraphs
Use of figures of speech (metaphors, similes, etc.)
After finishing Section 2 & 3 (p. 14-34), respond to the following questions. Each response
should be a minimum of four complete sentences. Make sure you include evidence from the
text to support your ideas.
1. So far, what do we know about Esperanza and the people who surround her?
2. Describe Sandra Cisneros’s style. Why do you think she used this type of style to tell
this story in particular? Explain.
The House on Mango Street – Section 4
English 9
1. Briefly summarize each of the vingettes in this section (2-4 sentences max).
And Some More
The Family of Little Feet
A Rice Sandwich
Chanclas
Hips
The First Job
2. Review each of the vignettes and identify three lines of strong imagery, powerful word
choice, or effective figurative language.
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
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The House on Mango Street – Section 5
English 9
1. (Text to Self Connection) Think of a time when you felt significantly guilty about
something. Explain what happened and how it felt (or still feels) to bear that guilt.
2. (Making Inferences) After reading Section 5, pages 56-71, analyze Esperanza’s reaction
to and feelings about the following deaths. Each analysis should be 2-4 sentences long and
must include evidence from the text.
a.
Her abuelito (grandfather)
b.
Aunt Lupe
c.
Geraldo
The House on Mango Street – Section 6 Analysis Paragraph
English 9
After reading Section 6 (pages 72-85), respond to the following prompt in a well-thought,
organized, formal paragraph (11 sentences; 3 chunks):
Based on the vignettes we have read so far, explain how women appear to be viewed in
Esperanza’s neighborhood.
You must include one (1) to two (2) quotes from the novel with proper parenthetical
documentation.
The House on Mango Street – Section 7 Response
English 9
Start by reading through the following questions. Each question deserves several sentences
of response.
“Bums in the Attic”
1. Why doesn’t Esperanza want to drive by the houses on the hill with her family anymore?
2. According to Esperanza, what is the difference between the people who live on the hill
and how Esperanza wants to be when she “lives on the hill”?
“Beautiful & Cruel”
3. Decipher the metaphor on page 88: “…I have decided not to grow up tame like the
others who lay their necks on the threshold waiting for the ball and chain.”
4. Why does Esperanza want to be beautiful and cruel? Why does she want to be “like a
man”?
“Smart Cookie”
5. What can Esperanza learn from her mother in this chapter?
“What Sally Said” & “The Monkey Garden”
6. Analyze the character Sally. What is she like? Why does she act the way she does?
7. What more does the reader learn about Esperanza in these two chapters?
“Red Clowns”
8. How is Esperanza reacting to what has happened to her in this chapter? How do you
think this situation will affect her in the long run?
The House on Mango Street – Section 8 Analysis Questions
English 9
Respond to the following questions. Your response to each question should be several
sentences in length and show insight and depth.
1. In the last section of the book, the three sisters and Alicia say something similar to
Esperanza:
“You will always be Esperanza. You will always be Mango Street” (105).
“Like it or not you are Mango Street…” (107).
Why are these statements true? Why is Esperanza Mango Street?
2. From this point on, what is Esperanza’s plan for the rest of her life? Reread the last two
lines of the book. What does she mean when she says she’ll come back for the others?