English 9D
The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
For each question, write a one-paragraph answer, unless stated otherwise. In your
answer, be sure to address all parts of the question posed, and use specific examples
from the book to support your answers.
Answers to reading assignments 1 & 2 will be turned in with Reading Journal #1 on
Friday, September 4.
Answers to reading assignments 3-5 will be turned in with Reading Journal #2 on
Friday, September 11.
Reading Assignment #1—pages 1-18
1. How does the protagonist, Esperanza, feel about her family’s house on Mango
Street? Do you think she would she call the house her home? Why or why not?
2. How does Esperanza describe her family? In what ways are her family
members influential to her?
Reading Assignment #2—pages 19-38
1. Several new characters and residents of Mango Street are introduced in this
section. How does Cisneros describe the community of Mango Street, and how
does Esperanza seem to feel about her community?
2. Re-read the vignettes “Cathy, Queen of Cats”, and “Those Who Don’t”.
What issues are raised in these vignettes regarding how those outside the
community see Esperanza, and the community of Mango Street? Why might they
be viewed in this way? How does this contrast with Esperanza’s own feelings?
Reading Assignment #3—pages 39-87
1. Several vignettes in this section explore the nature of growing up and
becoming an adult. What are some of the positive aspects explored? Negative?
How does Esperanza seem to feel about these experiences? Write two
paragraphs for this question.
2. Re-read the vignette, “Four Skinny Trees” (pg. 74-75). Why do you think
Esperanza says the trees are the only ones who understand her? What has
happened that might make her feel like these trees?
3. Pages 76-87 give vignettes of different women Esperanza knows or sees on
Mango Street. What do these women seem to have in common in regards to their
place in their world? How does Esperanza seem to feel about the lives of these
women and about her own?
Reading Assignment #4—pages 88-102
We will read and respond to this section as a class.
English 9D
The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
Reading Assignment #5—pages 103-110
1. How has Esperanza changed over the course of the book? What/who do you
feel has been most influential in these changes? Why?
2. The House on Mango Street ends with the following lines, “They will not know I
have gone away to come back. For the ones I left behind. For the ones who
cannot out.”
Who do you think Esperanza is referencing as being left behind, or unable to
leave? Why? What do you think Esperanza means when she says she will come
back for them?