A Red Balloon Tied to an Anchor

Bound, Tied, held back

 Never reaching full flight

This heavy anchor attaches to me

Keeping me from ever being free

Holding me down like a stack of bricks

Un-tampered with

Tough, strong, permanent

But nothing is ever really permanent

…..Right?

Nothing last forever

Not even an entire house made out of the strongest of bricks

So when will this anchor unleash me?

When can I reach my full potential?

When can my beautiful bouquet of red illuminate the sky?

And influence people

 Giving them answers to why

And how

And when

Helping to inspire and letting them know that even with

This Giant bound Anchor holding me down

 I still have the hope to eventually fly

Eventually soar and let go of this excess baggage

I will someday be free

Rise higher than the tallest of trees

But this anchor

This bloody resistant anchor

Will never let me go on its own

Will never unleash me by its self

But with your help

With your care

And the simple untying of a knot

Or snip of a scissor

 You can finally free me

You can finally let me soar

 And I can finally say

That this anchor binds me no more

  ~Dana Chang  

Artwork Created by Chicago Teens

 I found this piece both simple and intriguing. Although there is no complete WOW factor to it, the simplicity of the picture really just got me interested. I cant pinpoint exactly what, bu there is just something about it.
~Dana

Sire

The root word of desire is "sire." Desire is something that overpowers everyone. Throughout the book desire is presented in many different ways. If it's Esperanza's desire to move away from Mango Street or between the relationship of men and women, getting married, or some form of abuse. Esperanza always longs to get away from Mango Street and find a house she can call her home. It's only a temporary home in her eyes. Either it’s Bums in the attic and a house on the hills with a garden. Marin had a desire for a man too sweep her off her feet and take her away. "She's going to get a real job downtown because that's where the best jobs are, since you always get to look beautiful and get to wear nice clothes and can meet someone in the subway who might marry you and take you to live in the big house far away" these were her dreams and desires. Esperanza always noticed how a boy and his friends would always stare at her. They scared her but, she didn't show it. She wants a boyfriend who will always be there for her and with her. "I want to be all new and shiny; I want to sit out bad at night, a boy around my neck and the wind under my skirt." Minerva desires for her husband to stop beating her, or her desire to just leave, but she can't seem to. Minerva writes dime sized poems and puts them in her pocket. One time she kicked him out but, she let him come back. The same thing happened once again. She has two kids, only a little older then Esperanza. "He says he's sorry she opens the door and same story."

~Ayana~

Sandra Cisneros

Sandra Cisneros, born in Chicago, Illinois, on December 20, 1954, was the only girl out of seven children in her family. Her childhood was not like an all-American childhood. She moved from house to house to house and never really had a stable home to say she grew up in. When she felt depressed or felt a certain way, she would start writing and reading. Reading set her free. She had a strong connection to Esperanza in her book The House On Mango Street. They both had a sense of instability and being lost. The novel has sold more than two million copies. The House on Mango Street and Woman Hollering Creek and Other Stories both written by Sandra Cisneros has a series of vignettes. Cisneros now is currently living in San Antonio, Texas.

~Gabriella~

If Only

I walked into my house. Within thirty seconds I felt the vibrations of my phone ringing in my pockets. It was one of my best friends. Megan. What's wrong? She never normally called this late. I picked up the phone and she explained. Shock, loss, despair, disbelief all these emotions in one is what I felt. I couldn’t believe my ears. I couldn’t understand what was happening or why. He was fine just last Sunday wasn’t he? I remember seeing him illuminating the sanctuary with his smile and roaring laughter. Nothing was wrong with him, he was happy...he had to be happy. But if he was so happy, or so appeared to be happy why did he do that? How could he do that to his family, his friends...himself? If only we would have known. If only we could have stopped it...if only. If only life worked like a DVD, so that with a click of a button we could fast forward..pause....play....rewind..stop and start over again. If only we could have seen the signs. If only he could have realized that his life was a precious gift from God and that no matter what he was going through, everything would eventually be alright. If only....Death in itself bares millions of different emotions, but unexpected death… unexpected death leaves you with feelings that you will never forget, feelings that will impact the way you carry yourself and live your life every day. I was never the same after that night. I valued life so much more and always made sure if anyone I knew looked pretty down, I would confront them, talk to them and let them know that someone is there and that I care and I will always be there if they need me.

~Dana

Self Definition in The house on Mango Street

The theme of self-definition is one often seen in “The house on Mango Street” Esperanza is a young girl trying to find her way through life despite her obstacles. You see her evolve throughout the story. In the beginning Esperanza wants to change her name and separate herself from her parents, brothers and Nenny. She wants to be her own person and make her own choices. Instead of accepting the name given to her by her parents she wants to lead her own life and believes that is a giant step in that direction. Later on she becomes more sexual and wants men to notice and admire her. This is seen in the story about the magic shoes. Esperanza wants to be “beautiful and cruel” so men want her but won’t hurt her. Esperanza then becomes friends with Sally, a beautiful girl all the boys want. After being sexually assaulted Esperanza doesn’t want men to want her anymore. She eventually realizes that changing her name and growing up sexually won’t set her apart. Instead she accepts her place and starts writing to express herself. She realizes writing will help her leave Mango Street emotionally.

~Ingrid <3

Cut it OFF!

Snip, snap, snip! It was all gone. I looked like a boy with my new haircut. I knew I wasn't supposed to cut my hair, but all I wanted was a trim and no one gave me one, so I took matters into my own hands and cut it all off myself. Then I thought, “ While I’m at it, these bushy eyebrows of mine can get a little trim too.” My mom was at work and would be home in an hour. I thought where could I stash all my hair? I wasn't really smart back then so the best place, I thought, was behind my mother’s bed. When she walked through the garage door and I greeted her, I totally thought I was going to get away with it. But like I said, I wasn't such a smart cookie back then and I got caught! I was then reminded that I’m going to be a flower girl in a cliff view wedding the next morning. I would be accepted more like the ring boy then the flower girl. At first I was excited to walk down the aisle, now I’m terrified.

~ Gabby

The House that will never be Home

Moving from house to house as a young girl, Esperanza has lived in many houses, not that she has ever been proud of; none that she can call home. She tells each and every street and tries to describe the house. Her family dreams of a big house with many rooms and many bathrooms. Their house on Mango Street consists of one bedroom and one bathroom. It’s not the house they imagined when they were told they were moving. It has crumbling bricks, no front yard and small windows. It could almost be described as depressing. The family doesn’t have to deal with landlords or rent, the house is all theirs unlike their other houses. At one of their old houses a nun made Esperanza ashamed of where she lives. Esperanza dreams of a house outside of Mango Street, a house where she can have bums living in her attic. A house where she can host fancy dinner parties and be proud of who she is. Despite the fact that Mango Street is where she lives, this house is no home for Esperanza.

~Ingrid <3 

Nenny

Although she is just the Protagonist’s sister Nenny is still a main character in the story. At first she is only mentioned as the anchor holding Esperanza down. Despite her annoyance Nenny has qualities that Esperanza wants including her name, Magdalena. Nenny shoes her independence throughout the book. Instead of making up a new rhyme about hips, Nenny sticks to old ones the girls already know.  Another time Nenny shows independence is when naming the clouds. She uses every day names such as Angelo and Alicia while the other girls identify the clouds using metaphors. Esperanza dreams of a place outside of Mango Street while Nenny makes Mango Street her place. As the book goes on Nenny is mentioned less and less while other women are introduced. Nenny eventually fades into the blackness and is left alone on Mango Street while Esperanza goes beyond Mango Street.

~Ingrid <3

Women

In “The House on Mango Street” women are seen as almost belongings. They are told what to do and when. It is almost as if they are trapped by men. Esperanza’s great grandmother – after whom she is named – was forced to marry her great grandfather. She spent the rest of her days sitting by the window as if it were freedom which she just could not reach. Another example of the entrapment of women is Sally, Sally a young girl who cannot seem to catch a break. She is emotionally and physically abused by her father. She is forced to make excuses for the many bruises and bumps appearing on her body. Both these women were trapped by the opposite sex just waiting for the day they die, or are set free.

~Ingrid <3

A red balloon tied to an anchor

In a sexist community, women were always expected to take care of the children and food while the men went out to make money. The women were expected to start their role at a young age. They took care of their younger siblings. Esperanza is an example of this, as a young girl, she took care of her younger sister. She was her friend and guide. Esperanza was “a red balloon” tied to her younger sister, Nenny, the anchor. The only way for Esperanza to break the string that ties her to the anchor is to grow up and marry. The other thing women are expected to do.

Growing up as the youngest daughter I sort of understand how Esperanza feels. I was always told to stay close to my older sister and look to her for guidance as she knows the way. I was the anchor holding my sister down. It wasn’t until I grew up and made my own friends that my sister was released from my side. I didn’t realize how much of a burden I must’ve been because all I knew was that my sister was always there for me.

~Ingrid <3

Esperanza- The unreliable narrator

     Throughout "The House on Mango Street" Esperanza speaks of her many adventures and difficulties while growing up. She speaks of these events through her young, naive eyes. Some of the time Esperanza does not even realize what is going on, therefore making her an unreliable narrator. For example, in the vignette about Louie's cousin, Esperanza describes the event as an adventure instead of a bad thing. She mentions that Louie's cousin gets carried away in handcuffs but does not realize that he has just been arrested. She is too young to realize that the car is stolen and they have just taken it for a joy ride. Esperanza's naivety also causes her to say ironic things such as “Meme won. And broke both arms.” Although her stories are very interesting and descriptive, Esperanza fails to see the big picture and realize what truly is going on.

~Ingrid <3

The Magic Shoes

In the movie Wizard of Oz, Dorothy had magic shoes which she got from the Glinda, the good witch of the North. dorothy wears these shoes throughout the movie and eventually uses them to go back home to Kansas. In the "The House on Mango Street" Eperanza, Lucy and Rachel were given "magic shoes" by the lady with the little feet. they were given a bag with "one pair of lemon shoes,and one red and one pair that used to be white but were now pale blue." As soon as the girls put the shoes on they realize that under their long stockings and dresses they have legs. The three girls wore the shoes and strutted around as if they were grown women.  Men on the street called out "Lead me to heaven ladies" and other sayings that made the girls giggle. Other girls are jealous and give them dirty looks. Their dream is short-lived when a bum man asks Rachel for a kiss. The girls then take off running and hide the shoes and never wear them again. The magic shoes aren't so magic anymore.
~ Ingrid <3

Esperanza , Miss Independent

Throughout the novel Esperanza expresses and exhibits independent behavior. She says she wants to be independent and not have to rely on someone. She feels like her younger sister Nenny is a small portion of that feeling. She says "I feel like a red balloon tied to a anchor." Esperanza is obviously that balloon and Nenny is the anchor. Who ties Esperanza down for being free and coming and leaving when she wants. "And since she comes right after me, she is my responsibility" Esperanza says. Also, in the Mexican culture women are viewed as the people who cook, clean, and take care of the children. Her brother’s always tells her to stay inside and do women jobs. Esperanza refuses and rebels because she feels that's not the type of person she is. In the Vignette "My Name" Esperanza tells us she was named after her great-grandmother. Both were born in the Chinese year of the horse. She states "which is supposed to be bad luck if you are born a female-but, i think this is a Chinese lie because the Chinese, like the Mexican, don't like their women strong." She makes it clear that she knows she does not believe this lie because she feels women should be strong and the Mexican culture does not recognize that. Her great-grandmother was so wild that she would not marry. Until her Great-grandfather threw a sac over her head and carried her off, just like that. Also, she says she wants a house on the hill with a garden. "One day ill own my own house, but I won’t forget who I am or where I came from." She'll have bums in the attic and let them sleep there. When she has dinner guest over, the floorboards will make noise and people will say "rats?" "No bums" she'll reply with a smile.

~Ayana~

Monkey Garden

~Ayana~

The House on Mango Street - Inspiration

Monkey Garden

In the "Monkey Garden" Esperanza expresses how she feels about leaving childhood to enter adolescent hood. She states "things have a way of disappearing in the garden, as if the garden itself ate them, or, as if with its old-man memory." That childhood is slipping away and she's not quite sure if she's ready to let it go. People said she was too old to play games but, she didn't listen. Esperanza followed the others and ran up and down the garden. She told Sally to come but, she stayed with Tito and his friends. The boys had stolen Sally's keys and wouldn't give them back until she kissed them. The boys and Sally were both laughing , but Espernaza says "it was a joke I didn't get." She wanted to hit them with a stick. She wanted to stay with the kids still jumping on the cars and chasing each other. Instead she stays with Sally "who had her own game." "I looked at my feet in their white socks and round shoes. They seemed to far away, they didn't seem to be my feet anymore. And the garden that had been such a good place to play didn't seem mine either." Even though Esperanza sometimes says she wants to grow up and have freedom. She cant seem too throw away her child mentality.
~Ayana~

A Rice Sandwhich

            

In this story I had a connection with Esperanza and wanting to eat in the canteen with all the special kids. When I was younger, I always brought in a healthy lunch from home, but I always wanted to get school lunch because everyone in my grade had gotten free lunch. One day I brought in a twenty dollar bill so I can buy lunch, but then the school called my house and told my parents, resulting in me getting in trouble. I felt bad for Esperanza when Mrs. Cordero made her stand infront of the window and point out where her house was. She is only a young girl that felt pressured and I would cry if I were Esperanza.

~Gabriella~