The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros

The House on Mango Street, is written by Sandra Cisneros. Sandra Cisneros was born and grew up in Chicago. She was raised by her mother and father who were both of Mexican descent. She grew up in a relatively large family; she was the third child out of seven children. Cisneros’ childhood consisted of her growing up in one of Chicago’s Puerto Rican neighborhoods. As a child she also traveled back and forth to Mexico with her family. Understanding Cisneros’ background is important for understanding the novel because the main character in the novel, Esperanza, shares many similarities and almost resembles Cisneros.

The House on Mango Street is composed of many chapters; these chapters are written as short descriptions that have been described as both poems and short stories. Within these short chapters and pieces of the story, Cisneros brings to the reader several different topics and story lines. For example, the reader is introduced to many characters, some of which are only spoken of during a single chapter. Being introduced to so many characters represents and allows the reader to assume that the neighborhood in which Esperanza is living is fairly small, small enough to where she is able to know all her neighbors and their story. The stories of Esperanza neighbors, their struggles, personal battles, along with the conflicts faced by Esperanza seem to always fall short of being resolved in the novel. Often the reader is left to assume what the outcome was.

The House on Mango Street as a whole, with all the short chapters and stories added up, covers a year in the life of Esperanza. Esperanza is about twelve years old in the novel and much like Cisneros is a Mexican-American girl. The novel begins with Esperanza moving with fa...

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...s us of her neighbors, if she doesn’t leave Mango Street. Second, even though Esperanza has a strong desire to leave she will never truly leave Mango Street, because she is always going to try and help others in similar situations leave. Lastly, being a women on Mango Street is depressing. Esperanza does not want to become like the women on Mango Street, because they are either trapped inside their houses looking out windows or trapped by the abuse of their husbands, fathers, children, or their own feelings of inadequacy.

Works Cited

Cisneros, Sandra. "Cathy Queen of the Cats." The House on Mango Street. New York: Vintage, 1991. 13. Print.

Cisneros, Sandra. "The House on Mango Street." The House on Mango Street. New York: Vintage, 1991. 4. Print.

Cisneros, Sandra. "The House on Mango Street." The House on Mango Street. New York: Vintage, 1991. 3. Print.