House on Mango Street
Essential Questions
1. Where does our sense of identity come from?
2. How does environment shape our identity?
3. What identities, if any, are permanent and which
do we have the power to change?
4. What roles do neighborhood and community play
in shaping who we become?
5. Make a list of what you consider your identity to
be.
“House on Mango Street”
• Read chapter 1.
– Where does our sense of identity come
from?
– How does environment shape our
identity?
– What identities, if any, are permanent
and which do we have the power to
change?
– What roles do neighborhood and
community play in shaping who we
become?
“Hairs”
 Read Chapter 2
 In your journal, write a vignette about your
own life that discusses an important physical
trait and how it reveals something about the
person who possesses it and your
relationship to him/her. You may choose to
discuss a trait that all of you share, or one
that makes a particular family member—or
you—stand out from the others because it is
different..
“Boys and Girls”
 Read Chapter 3
 In your journal, answer the following
questions:
 Why do they (boys and girls) live in separate
worlds?
 Why are the boys worried about being seen
outside talking to girls?
“Cathy Queen of Cats”
Compare and/or contrast Cathy and
Esperanza.
Cathy
Attitude Toward the Neighborhood
Prejudices
Age
Socio-Economic Position
Ethnic Background
Importance to the Story
Esperanza
“Cathy Queen of Cats”
 Cathy seems indifferent to Esperanza’s feelings and
does not recognize that her (Cathy’s) comments are
offensive. As Esperanza, write a letter to Cathy
explaining why her comments are bigoted and how
you felt during the conversation.
“Cathy Queen of Cats”
Sample Letter
Dear Cathy,
I know that you are moving on Tuesday, but before you go I want to tell you
how much you hurt me when we first met. All I wanted was to make a new
friend and to feel welcome in the neighborhood. Maybe you thought you
were helping when you told me scary things about our neighbors, but instead
you made me feel unwanted and unsafe in my new home. You said to stay
away from the girls across the street because they are “raggedy.” I am
“raggedy,” too. Do you think the other children in the neighborhood should
stay away from me? You said the reason you are moving is because the
neighborhood is getting bad. I just moved here! Do you think the
neighborhood is getting bad because my family moved here? And what did
you mean by “people like us”?
I am not sorry that you are moving away.
Your ex-neighbor,
Esperanza
“Our Good Day”
Identify the traits you think Esperanza possesses.
_____1. aloof _____11. difficult _____21. wise
_____2. conventional _____12. practical _____22. compassionate
_____3. courageous _____13. reliable _____23. understanding
_____4. energetic _____14. resourceful _____24. thoughtful
_____5. honest _____15. intelligent _____25. simple
_____6. insensitive _____16. sensitive _____26. imaginative
_____7. methodical _____17. diligent _____27. persistent
_____8. confident _____18. conscientious _____28. stubborn
_____9. coarse _____19. tender _____29. reasonable
____10. cautious _____20. callous _____30. impudent
“Our Good Day”
 Describe a good day with your friends.
“Laughter”
What member of your family do you most strongly
resemble? With what member of your family do you
share the most personality traits? Do you, like
Esperanza, feel a strong connection with your family’s
heritage? Why or why not?
“Gil’s Furniture Bought
and Sold”
 How does the personality difference between the
two sisters show up in the store?
 Describe a time in your life when you were
embarrassed by your lack of understanding of a
new technology or of an event.
“Meme Ortiz”
 Who is Meme?
 How are Meme and the dog alike?
 What words does Esperanza use to describe Meme? How do
these words create a word picture of Meme?
 Think back to when you were a child. What risks did you
take to win a game or a contest? Did you get hurt? Would
you take that same risk now?
“Louie, His Cousin & His
Other Cousin”
 Write a headline based on the events in Chapter 10 that may
have appeared in the next day’s issue of The Chicago
Tribune.
 Write a short news story based on the events in the chapter.
Remember to include the what, when, where, who, why,
and how, if this information is available in the chapter. Do
not invent anything; a newspaper story should strive to be
factual.
“Marin”
 Mark statements about this chapter as True or False.
 T F Marin’s dreams depend on a man to provide her with a happ
life.
 T F Marin is well liked and respected by Louie’s parents.
 T F Esperanza admires Marin because Marin is older and knows
things.
 T F Marin is free to come and go as she pleases.
 T F Esperanza thinks that Marin is too rebellious, but nice.
“Marin”
B. Which of the following values do you think are important to
Marin?
_____ hope _____ family _____ education
_____ wealth _____ peace _____ fame
_____ security _____ popularity _____ health
_____ honesty _____ happiness _____ friendship
_____ beauty _____ love _____ loyalty
“Marin”
What are your dreams and goals for the future? How do you
plan to make your dreams and goals real?
“Those Who Don’t”
 How do outsiders view Esperanza’s neighborhood?
 How does Esperanza feel when she drives “into a
neighborhood of another color?”
 Explain the significance of the following quotes.
“All brown all around, we are safe.”
“Those Who Don’t”
 Write about a time in your life when you were afraid
because you found yourself in an unfamiliar place or
unusual situation. Did your fear have any foundation in
fact, or was it based on generalizations you were
making about your situation?
 Draw a one-panel cartoon showing Esperanza’s
neighborhood and a car full of frightened people
driving down the street.
 What might the caption read?
“There Was An Old
Woman”
Explain the significance of the following quotes.
“They are without respect for all things living,
including themselves.”
“But after a while you get tired of being worried about
kids who aren’t even yours”
“There Was An Old
Woman”
 This chapter ends with the death of a child. Does
anyone other than Esperanza seem to care? Why or
why not? What does this say about society?
 Do you think that society has a responsibility to
children? Should the neighborhood have done more
for the Vargas children? Was there anything the
neighborhood could have done?
“Alicia Who Sees Mice”
Which of the following themes is strongest in this chapter? List details
from the chapter that support your answer. Understand the definition
well, so that you can eliminate answers that do not fit.
 Esperanza grows up.
 Some women feel trapped in traditional female roles.
 Prejudice is founded in fear and ignorance.
 It is important to be proud of one’s home.
 It is difficult to establish one’s identity when caught between two
conflicting cultures.
 One has a duty to his or her neighbors and community.
“Alicia Who Sees Mice”
Alicia’s father represents the stereotypical male who believes
that a woman’s place is in the home. Alicia, like Esperanza,
wants to be something different from the traditional female.
Unlike Marin who is a woman waiting for her dream, Alicia is
a woman working toward her dream. Esperanza finds much
to admire in Alicia. What lines show Esperanza’s admiration?
“Darius & the Clouds”
 Esperanza says that you can never have too much sky.
Why does the sky symbolize for her?
 What is there a shortage of on Mango Street?
 What wise thing did Darius say? Why is it wise?
 Many people turn to nature when they are upset or sad or
in need of peace. Esperanza says that you can get drunk on
sky. Is there a part of nature that soothes you when you are
sad or upset? Is there a part of nature that inspires you?
“And Some More”
 Describe an afternoon spending time with your
friends.
“The Family of Little Feet”
 In this chapter, the girls learn quite a bit about the
way women are perceived. What are the
perceptions of women that they face?
 Are people judged by the clothing they wear?
Should they be? Is there a double standard for
women and their behavior?
“A Rice Sandwich”
 Once again Esperanza endures a humiliating experience.
How is the experience with the nun in this chapter similar
to the experience in chapter one? Why does Esperanza lie
about her home?
 What did she learn from this experience?
 How are the adults portrayed in this novel? How did you
see adults when you were a child?
“Chanclas”
 What did Esperanza’s mother forget? How does
Esperanza feel about this?
 Why does Esperanza turn down the boy who asks her to
dance?
 How does she feel at the beginning of her dance with her
uncle?
 How have her feelings changed by the end of the dance?
 What does Esperanza notice about the boy who asks her
to dance?
“Chanclas”
 Describe a time when embarrassment or shyness
kept you from participating in something. Did you
overcome your shyness? If so, how did you feel? If
not, how did you feel? Would you be as shy now?
Why or why not?
“Hips”
 At what age did you feel that you had left your
childhood behind? When did you feel that you were
becoming an adult? Have you felt that? How would
you describe growing up?
“The First Job”
 Consider the unwanted kiss incident. Write a diary
entry Esperanza might make regarding the incident;
include her feelings at the time. In what way does
the incident help define the coming of-age theme?
“The First Job”
Dear Diary,
I went to my first job today. It is an easy job – I just match negatives to the prints
at the Peter Pan Photo Finishers on North Broadway. Aunt Lala found the job for
me. I ate my lunch in the washroom because I did not know anyone in the
lunchroom. At break time, I sat alone in the cloak room until this Oriental man
said hello to me. At first, he seemed very nice, and I was grateful that he noticed
me. Really, Diary, he had nice eyes and I trusted him. Then, when I was beginning
to relax with him and feel less scared, he said he wanted me to give him a
birthday kiss. I kiss my uncles all of the time, and he seemed like an uncle to me.
So I started to give him a kiss on the cheek, when he grabbed my face and kissed
me hard on the mouth! Yuck!! He held on to me and would not let go! I know that
I cannot trust anyone at Peter Pan Photo Finisher now. How could I have been so
wrong about him?
Esperanza realizes that she is no longer viewed or treated as a child when she is
out in public.
“Papa Who Wakes Up
Tired in the Dark”
 Esperanza is aware now that at some point in her
life she will lose her parents. Although she is
growing up and preparing to be an adult, she
realizes that her parents are a part of her home and
she is not ready to do without them. What parts
make up your idea of a home? What parts of that
home could you do without? What parts must you
have?
“Born Bad”
 Esperanza connects her aunt’s death with the
imitation game that she and the other children
played. Have you ever imitated or mocked someone
else? Did you feel guilty? Do you feel guilty now?
 Esperanza questions why people get sick or injured.
She ends up believing that it is just chance. What do
you believe?
“Elenita, Cards, Palm, Water”
Superstitions, Beliefs, and Their Origins
 It's bad luck to walk under a ladder. This came from the early
Christian belief that a leaning ladder formed a triangle with the
wall and ground. You must never violate the Holy Trinity by
walking through a triangle, lest you be considered in league with
the devil. (And you all know what good Christians did to people
they suspected of being in league with the devil.)
 Beware of Friday the Thirteenth. Those who know about these
things, inform us that Adam and Eve were expelled from the
Garden of Eden on a Friday, Noah's flood started on a Friday,
and Christ was crucified on a Friday. Christians also noted that
twelve witches plus one devil are present at Satanic ceremonies,
so Friday and 13 make a deadly combination.
“Elenita, Cards, Palm, Water”
Superstitions, Beliefs, and Their Origins
 God Bless You. During the sixth century, it was customary to
congratulate people who sneezed because they were expelling
evil from their bodies. Later, when a great plague took hold of
Europe and people began sneezing violently, the Pope passed a
law. Since sneezing meant that the person was going to die of
plague, people were required to bless the sneezer.
 Don't spill the salt. Although some people believe that Judas
spilt salt during the last supper, this claim can't be proven. Salt
was a very precious expensive commodity in the middle ages. It
was also used for medicinal purposes. If you spill any, you must
immediately throw it over your left shoulder to strike the nasty
spirits in the eye, thus preventing sickness.
“Elenita, Cards, Palm, Water”
Superstitions, Beliefs, and Their Origins
 Black cats are evil. In ancient Egypt, the Goddess Bast was
a black female cat. Christian priests wanted to wipe out all
traces of other religions, so they convinced their ignorant
followers to destroy the evil demons that were blackcats.
While they were at it, they destroyed the kindly little old
ladies who cared for the cats, believing them to be witches.
 Ladybug, ladybug, fly away home. It is bad luck to kill a
ladybug because it represents the Virgin Mary.
“Elenita, Cards, Palm, Water”
Superstitions, Beliefs, and Their Origins
 Make up a superstition, one that doesn’t really exist. After
you come up with one, write it down and devise a scenario
to justify its origin
 List the superstitions Esperanza refers to in this chapter.
 List any three superstitions that you would like to know the
origins of.
“Geraldo No Last Name”
 This chapter is another social criticism. The repetition of the
questions reinforce the idea that Geraldo didn’t matter to the
society in which he lived. What were the questions? How
did the questioning of the police imply that Geraldo brought
the accident on himself?
 What actions and lines support Marin’s belief that Geraldo
could have been saved?
 Why does Esperanza talk about Geraldo’s home?
“Geraldo No Last Name”
 This chapter is a social commentary. Are there still people in
society that are treated the way that Geraldo was treated?
 If so, what should be done about it? Can anything be done?
“Edna’s Ruthie”
 Who is Ruthie? Who is Edna?
 What does Esperanza say about Ruthie? What
doesn’t she understand about Ruthie
 How are Ruthie and Esperanza alike?
 Is it important to find joy in your daily life? Is it
important to dream about the future? Which is more
important?
“The Earl of Tennessee”
 Who is Earl? Where does he live?
 What is Earl’s job?
 Describe your room. How does your room reflect
who you are?
“Sire”
 Esperanza wonders what it will be like one day to sit
outside with a boy. This for her will be a way of knowing
that she is growing up. What are the milestones in your
life that let you know that you are growing up?
 Because Esperanza is the narrator, the incidents are told
from her perspective. How might the incident with Sire
be written if it were told from his point of view? Try to
rewrite all six paragraphs in this chapter from his
perspective
“Four Skinny Trees”
 In what ways does Esperanza identify with the four
skinny trees?
 What does Esperanza learn from the trees?
 The theme of finding beauty in everyday things is
continued in this chapter. What beauty does
Esperanza find in the trees? What do the trees teach
her?
“No Speak English”
 This chapter continues the theme of home. Mamacita seems to
be physically tied to her home in Mexico. She is not happy in
the apartment in America. How is the opposite of the
American Dream?
 How is this chapter also a continuation of the theme of
masculine and feminine roles?
 Mamacita is homesick. She is refusing to try to belong in
America. Describe a situation in your life when you refused to
try to fit in. Or describe a time in your life when you were
homesick.
“Rafaela Who Drinks Coconut
& Papaya Juice on Tuesdays”
 Why is Rafaela growing old?
 Why does her husband lock her in the apartment?
 Who is Rapunzel? Why would Rafaela wish that she
had hair like Rapunzel?
 What message do you think fairy tales send? Why?
“Sally”
 Who is Sally?
 What is Sally’s relationship with her father?
 How does Sally change when it is time to go home?
 Sally has been told all her life that she is bad, that something
is wrong with her. How does this impact her behavior? Do
you think that people can escape their childhoods? Do you
think that people can escape the perceptions people have of
them? Are people judged by their looks?
“Minerva Writes Poems”
 Which of the themes in the story is dealt with in this vignette?
Write the letter and explain what details from the vignette help
you to get your answer.
 A. Esperanza grows up.
 B. Some women feel trapped in traditional female roles.
 C. Prejudice is founded in fear and ignorance.
 D. It is important to be proud of one’s home.
 E. It is difficult to establish one’s identity when caught between
two conflicting
 cultures.
 F. One has a duty to his or her neighbors and community.
“Minerva Writes Poems”
 Esperanza is in a difficult situation. She has a friend who is
being abused and neither she nor her friend can come up
with a solution. Describe a time when you were unable to
develop a solution to a problem.
“Bums in the Attic”
 This chapter is a social commentary on class
separation. What metaphor is used to represent the
separation between the rich and the poor?
 Describe a problem in society that you wish you
could solve. Explain how you will solve it
“Beautiful & Cruel”
In this chapter, Esperanza describes the kind of woman she
wants to emulate.
“In the movies there is always one with red red lips who is
beautiful and cruel. She is the one who drives the men crazy
and laughs them all away. Her power is her own. She will not
give it away.” (Pg. 89)
Think of three female characters from movies, television, or
literature who are similar in character, attitude, or appearance
as the “beautiful and cruel” woman Esperanza admires.
Complete the chart on the next slide.
“Beautiful & Cruel”
 Make a chart with the 3 people. Answer the
following questions about each person.





Name of Character
Movie, Novel or TV show with character
Brief character description
What does the character value?
What does the character not value?
“A Smart Cookie”
 Mama tells Esperanza to stay in school so that she
never has to depend on a man. How does this
chapter continue the themes of the novel?
 What are some of the lessons you
have learned in your life?
“What Sally Said”
 A major theme is continued in this disturbing chapter. The
abuser in this chapter is Sally’s father rather than her husband
but she behaves the same way that the other abused women
have. Discuss the irony of father’s behavior in this chapter.
 An additional theme is present. Sally is punished harshly for
talking to boys. What is a double standard? How does it
relate to the roles of women in this novel? How does it relate
to Sally’s life?
 Is there still a double standard to judge the behavior of boys
and girls?
“The Monkey Garden”
 How does the Monkey Garden change?
 What does Sally do that makes Esperanza angry?
 Describe a time when you tried to help a friend.
“Red Clowns”
 What happened to Esperanza in this chapter?
 Explain the significance of the following quotes.
“Why did you leave me all alone? I waited my whole life.
You’re a liar. They all lied. All the
books and magazines,
everything that told it wrong.”
 How is racial prejudice part of this chapter?
 What is your reaction to this chapter? How are you affected
by what happened to Esperanza? If you could talk to her
now, what would you tell her?
“Linoleum Roses”
Think about the last few vignettes, Sally; What Sally Said;
Red Clowns; Linoleum Roses.

Identify the character traits you think Esperanza possesses. Make a list
_____independent
_____lonely
_____beautiful
_____hopeful
_____intelligent
_____persecuted
_____unloved
_____afraid
_____understanding
_____creative
_____unconquerable
_____sad
_____trustworthy
_____compassionate
_____deluded
_____self-reliant
_____naïve
_____popular
_____thoughtful
_____reliable
“Linoleum Roses”
Think about the last few vignettes, Sally; What Sally Said;
Red Clowns; Linoleum Roses.

Identify the character traits you think Sally possesses. Make a list
_____independent
_____lonely
_____beautiful
_____hopeful
_____intelligent
_____persecuted
_____unloved
_____afraid
_____understanding
_____creative
_____unconquerable
_____sad
_____trustworthy
_____compassionate
_____deluded
_____self-reliant
_____naïve
_____popular
_____thoughtful
_____reliable
“Linoleum Roses”
Think about the last few vignettes, Sally; What Sally Said;
Red Clowns; Linoleum Roses.
 Which character traits do they share? Why do you think
Esperanza includes Sally in these four chapters?
 Sally is considered the foil to Esperanza. Can you guess what a
foil is?
 What do you feel is the best age to get married? Is there a best
age? Is there a best reason to get married? What myths do you
think society perpetuates about marriage and romance? Do you
think Sally thought her life would be better if she married the
salesman? Is it?
“The Three Sisters”
 Again, Esperanza wishes for a house of her own.
While she learns that her dream will come true, she
is also given a new responsibility. What is this
responsibility? How does this tie into the themes of
the novel?
 What do you see as your responsibilities to the
community in which you grew up? What are your
responsibilities to society?
“Alicia & I Talking on
Edna’s Steps”
 In this chapter, Esperanza learns that she cannot
deny her heritage. She also is reminded that she will
be coming back to Mango Street. How do these
ideas tie into the themes of belonging, heritage, and
home?
 What impact does your childhood and where you
grow up have on you? Is there a part of your
childhood that will always be a part of you?
“A House of My Own”
 How does Esperanza describe her house? What
does this say about her?
 What are your dreams for the future? What do you
want to happen in your life?
“Mango Says Goodbye
Sometimes”
 List three statements you can make about Esperanza’s adult
life. For example: Esperanza will one day have the house of her
dreams. For each conclusion, state what details in the book led
you to that determination.
 Some sample statements are:
 Esperanza’s writing ability will enable her to leave Mango Street on day.
 Esperanza will return to Mango Street to help her old community.
 Mango Street will always be part of Esperanza’s identity.
“Mango Says Goodbye
Sometimes”
 Explain the significance of the following quotes.
I like to tell stories. I am going to tell you a story about a girl who didn’t
want to belong.
Where did she go with all those books and paper? Why did she march so
far away?
They will not know I have gone away to come back. For the ones I left
behind. For the ones who cannot out.
“Mango Says Goodbye
Sometimes”
 What is the most significant theme in this novel? Why?
Wrap Up
 Activity
 One of the pre-reading activities was to read the
reviews other students have written about this
book. Write your own review. Include what you
liked or disliked about the story. What did it teach
you? Would you recommend it to a friend or
teacher?
Chapter Titles
 Look at the table of contents.
 What do you notice about the chapter titles?
 What do they suggest?
 How creative are they?
Your chapters
• Make a list of 10 actual significant events from your
life which helped shape your sense of identity.
• Give each event a creative title.
• Create a table of contents that displays all of these
titles.
• Choose one title that you are going to turn into and
autobiographical incident essay.
• Brainstorm and outline the essay.