House on mango street essay

The identity of an individual is often determined by their circumstances,and events. This

statement,both personal and common, is illustrated in many forms of dialogue and literature

throughout history. The house on mango street, by Sandra Cisneros illustrates this message.

B. Thesis statement – in the short novel, house on mango street, sandra cisneros uses

literary elements and stylistic techniques during her stay on mango street in order to illustrate

that identity is shaped by one's knowledge, experience, and culture thereby insightfully

propagating that esperanza's identity is shaped into a character of determination, and

perseverance due to her poverty and circumstances.

chapter 1 of Cisneros ' house on mango street", propounds how knowledge shaped

esperanza's identity. She expects a house that represents wealth, but rather gets one that is an

embodiment of poverty. Esperanza becomes determined to improve her life, and grows wary of

her situation. In the middle of chapter 1, the author states “ our house would have a great big

yard… with grass growing around it”. The text is an example of imagery,and allows the reader

to visualize/picture esperanzas dreams and aspirations,symbolized by a house. Esperanzas vivid

imagination highlights her dreams and aspirations. She realizes and knows of the poverty her

family faces and becomes determined to shape her identity, not based on her surroundings, but

rather her will.

Esperanza is ecstatic when she believes that she will live in a house of comforts, however is

shocked when " the house on mango street was not the way it was told at all". The irony
allows the author to communicate the sorrow, disappointment and shock of esperanza to the

reader. With esperanza's Hopes of a life of wealth shattered, she realizes the true situation of

her family, and is at odds with the reality. She starts to reassess herself and decides to take

action, rather than futilely dream.

After moving into her house esperanza becomes ashamed at her poverty. " you live ​there?

There". ​ The author uses diction by italicizing" there" conveying the deep shame, regret,

disappointment given in the single word " there". The use of diction provides the deeper

meaning of poverty. Esperanza associates her family's poor conditions with the house.

Throughout her life she had been constantly on the move, and resented this.The experience of

being shamed at her own house, transforms Esperanza into a determined woman, intent on

changing her destiny, and overcoming obstacles.

In conclusion, the author utilizes the impact of knowledge, to show how it affected esperanza

when she was settling in the house on mango street. The disappointment at her house serves

as a catalyst to reignite her shame at her circumstances

chapter 1 and 3, and 4 of esperanza's house on mango street all convey how experiences shape

esperanza's identity. Esperanza is combining both past and present experiences in these
chapters, and provides a deep understanding of her life.

chapter 1 states" for the time being says mama, but I know how those things go" the use of

diction shows the perception of esperanza and the depth of her experiences. Esperanzas past

experiences of being lied to, and given false Hope shaped her identity of resentment and pain.

In chapter 3 of the house on mango street esperanza narrates her relationship with her sister. "

I am a red balloon, tied to an anchor". The metaphor provides a window into esperanzas

negative perception of her sister. Esperanza feels trapped, and held back by her sister, and

desires to be freed. She does not enjoy the company of her sister, but rather views her as an

obstacle towards friendship. Esperanza's experience with her sister shapes her to be desperate

for the confirmation of others, desperate for friendship, and resentful of Nenny( sister).

The author in chapter 2 states " my mother's hair like simple rosettes. The evidence brings up

the senses of sight and smell in the reader. The simile exemplifies that esperanza has a deep

and personal relationship with her mother. She associates her mother with beauty, and

freshness. By compares her mother with a rose, esperanza reveals the sense of positivity and

security her mother brings.

In chapter 2, it states " the snoring, the rain, and mama who smells like bread". The use of the

metaphor once again allows the author to demonstrate stability in esperanzas life. After

constantly moving, esperanza seems have a very temporary outlook on life, and her identity is

associated with that of the short term. Her father snoring, the rain, And the comfort of her
mother all create a sense of stability for esperanza.

In conclusion , the short novel, house on mango street , sandraa cisneros uses literary

elements and stylistic techniques during her esperanza’s on mango street in order to convey

that identity is shaped by one's knowledge,and experience, thereby insightfully propounding

that her identity is shaped into a character of determination, and perseverance as a result of

her poverty and circumstances.