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~