Reading comprehension

House on Mango Street

May 20th, 2024
10 points.

Please answer the following carefully. Please think before you write. You have
to hand this in at the end of class.

1. Much of this story is about where the main character wants to live, she is a
teenager like you. She hopes one day to have a wonderful house, a dream house.
Write a paragraph (more than 3 sentences, less than 10 sentences) describing your
dream house.
A: My dream house is in a mountain or in a forest. I want a house with a combination
of modern and rustic parts. I want to be in the middle of nature, so I can have mental
peace. A special aspect for my ideal home would be a room with a movie projector, a
type of "mini cinema" you could say.
2. Esperanza tells the readers all about the problems of the house on Mango Street.
She says that her parents told her they would only live there for a little while, and then
she says: “But I know how these things go.” Dreams don’t always match real life. Most
of us have times when our hopes for our lives don’t match what’s really happening.
Write about a time when that was true for you, when what you wanted just didn’t seem
as if it could ever come.
A: I was hoping to get a vacation job to buy several things last year, but then I realized
how difficult it can be and that I wasn't old enough. My parents said that it wasn’t
necessary to get a job to get my stuff because they could buy it, but I wanted to be
responsible.

3. Esperanza says that in her culture, boys and girls “live in separate worlds.” She
says the boys won’t let people see them talking to their sisters outside of the house.
Why do you think Esperanza’s brothers worried about being seen talking to girls? What
would the boys say about why they don’t talk to their sisters in public? Some people
believe men and women should behave differently. In some cultures, this can be very
strict. Think about messages you have received about what’s ok or not ok for man and
women. What are some messages? Write about your reaction to them.
A: Esperanza's brothers are likely worried about being seen talking to girls because
of the societal and cultural expectations placed on gender interactions in their
community. In many traditional cultures, strict gender roles dictate appropriate
behavior for men and women, often enforcing a separation between the two in public
spaces.
My reaction to these gender role messages has evolved over time. Initially, I accepted
many of these norms without question, as they were deeply ingrained in societal and
cultural practices. However, as I grew older and more aware of the implications, I
began to question and challenge these stereotypes.

4. Cathy says some things are very offensive, very hurtful. Identify at least 5 hurtful
comments she makes and tell me how they could hurt someone.
A:

• She says that she is the great great grand cousin of the queen of France,
reflecting a sense of superiority and saying that she is better than everyone.
• She says that in the meantime they'll just have to move a little farther north from
Mango Street, a little farther away every time people like Esperanza’s family
move in, implying that they are undesirable neighbors.
• Cathy’s offer of friendship to Esperanza is conditional and temporary until the
next tuesday, suggesting that Esperanza is not worthy of a lasting friendship.
• Cathy says to Esperanza that Rachel and Lucy smell like a broom, judging and
saying bad stuff of them.
• Cathy’s disapproval of Rachel and Lucy is hurtful because it communicates that
they are not worthy of respect or friendship.
These attitudes are hurtful to other people since she judges everything that she
considers not at her level.

5. “Our good day” is funny but confusing. Write a summary of this little story using
no more than 3 sentences.
A: Esperanza buys a shared bike with her new friends Rachel and Lucy by contributing
five dollars she borrows from her sister Nenny. The three girls joyfully ride the bike
around all the neighborhood. This small adventure marks the beginning of a
meaningful bond between Esperanza and her new friends.