There are many themes that we have read about in Sandra Cisnero's The House on Mango Street: family, poverty, friendship, family, independence, etc.
Assignment: Choose one of these themes and write a brief 6-8 sentence paragraph analyzing it. Lets try NOT to all pick the same theme. Remember to check back to the blog and read everyone's paragraph before class on Monday. (Hint, Hint)
Poverty is the lack of basic human needs. Things such as money, shelter, food, and clothing. Many people experienced poverty throughout their life. For example, Sandra's childhood neighborhood was very difficult for her. She grew up surrounded by poor blacks and Latinos. Everyone had a tough time making money to buy a descent house which middle class citizens would live in. Her parents always said to her that they would buy the house that looked like the ones in Mexico but it would probably never happen cause they have a growing family and don't have the money.
ReplyDeleteWhat the hell does "hint, hint" mean?
The themes above have huge parts in this book. But, I think characters being prejudice have a bigger part of this book so far. In the vignette, Our Good Day, Cathy was being prejudice towards Lucy and Rachel.Cathy also made a comment on their clothes and how they smell. Cathy also starts to be racist in the vignette Cathy Queen of the Cats. She says that she has to move because the neighborhood is getting bad. She says it is getting bad because people like Esperanza keep moving in. We had a good discussion today that everyone has a little prejudice feeling towards others just because of their race. Their is probably going to be more evidence of characters being prejudice in the book.
ReplyDeleteST
ST
Family is a group united by certain covictons realated by common charcteristics.Famiy relationships tend to be difficult at times, but always have each othes back.In the book The House on Mango Street,Esperanza has been introduced to many people who entered her family,but had different relationships with each one.Though,Nenny and Espernza's pesonality was similar by the way they laughed which built a bond.Also,how they looked at things the same.For example,a house seen as Mexico in both sistes eyes.Family have to look after each other and protect one during hardships,struggles, and outside influence.Just like Nennys behavior towards Esperana of why she doesnt approve of her sister playing with Vargas childeren.
ReplyDeletePoverty was something that made a huge impact on Esperanza and her family. Her family doesn’t have much money, which makes it difficult for her parents to provide food, shelter and clothing for everyone. She used to live over a laundry mat in a very small apartment. Everyone in the family had to share one bedroom. Her family grew bigger which made it harder for her parents to provide for the kids and give them what they needed. Her family kept switching houses because they couldn’t afford to continue living there or something bad would happen. For example, the pipes broke in their house and they didn’t have enough money to fix them. The landlord refused to fix the pipes. Esperanza’s family couldn’t afford the water bill so they had to fill up gallons of water from their neighbor’s house and use that water to bathe themselves. Her parents kept telling her that everything is going to be ok and that they will find a house that is big enough for all of them to live in.
ReplyDeleteFamily seems to be Esperanza's life. She is very close with her mother & she feels very safe with her & worm. Esperanza & Nenny are very close & Esperanza is like her body gaurd they have eachothers back. She isnt close with her other siblings like she is with Nenny. She would stand up for her family & if anything support them at all times. Family means a lot to Esperanza & she knows that they can't have a big & rich house like other people but Esperanza is proud of her house & she doesn't care what people say about it. Esperanza is thankful for her family & is proud to have them as her family.
ReplyDeleteCharacters in this book are being prejudice, and I think that is a big theme. Cathy is very prejudice towards new people coming into the community. She told Esperanza that when a new family moves in, her family moves a bit farther away. This tells me that she thinks if your not white, then your dangerous. Also, she told Esperanza that she shouldnt be with Lucy and Rachel because of the way they dress. Nobody should judge a person based on the way they look because they could be a whole 'nother person.
ReplyDeleteFamily is the main subject for Esperanza because of her job which was to take care of her siblings. Esperanza and her sister Nenny have the the same thoughts like when they saw a house and thought about Mexico. This shows that because of the time she spends with her family they actually have a connection. Esperanza has a very special connection with her mother. Her mom is like her special confidante. Esperanza was actually named from her great grandmother becuase of the family interaction. To me it looks like they love each other too much .
ReplyDeleteA not often looked at theme of this book is independence. In "Our good day", Lucy, Rachel, and Esperanza each pitch in to get a new bike. Why does this symbolize independence? It is because when they get the new bike which means freedom, and in my mind freedom=independence. Another example of independence was Marin. Marin wants to live on her own, finding that perfect guy even though she has a boyfriend. Naive, yes, independent, also yes.
ReplyDeleteFamily is important to Esperanza. She cares most about her family. She knows she needs to protect them no matter what. Esperanza cares mostly about her sister Nenny. She also cares about her mother. She is really close to her mother and trusts her. She was named after her great-grandmother. She probably was named after her great - grandmother because she might have looked like her when she was born, or maybe because her grand-mother was very hopeful.
ReplyDelete-Amanda
The theme about friendship is one of the most important ones because. One it teaches you the value of a true and real friendship. For example when Esperanza wanted to buy a bike from these two Cathy said that if she did she wouldn't be her friend anymore. Now that's not a positive friendship. You have to know what is a good friend and a bad friend. Finally don't listen to people about what they have to say about other people.
ReplyDeleteOne thing that I did not notice before in the book is equalite. Althuoght Esperanza loves her family, I also think she wants to be equal. She does not want to be the same as the other people’s Felice mentioned in his blog she wants to be independent think she wants to have the same rights and not be cliffy as poor uneducated person.
ReplyDeleteOne theme of The House on Mango Street is about family. In the book Esperanza has to take care of her sister Nenny. They are always together. But Esperanza has a stronger relationship with her mother. Her mother is a lot to her. Her brothers Carlos and Kiki are like best friends with each other they get along with each other very well.
ReplyDeleteby alex o