The House on Mango Street

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Reading Reflections on Chapters“The House on Mango Street”to“Laughter”in The House on Mango Street

Summary of the Chapters
In the chapters from“The House on Mango Street”to“Laughter,”Esperanza Cordero,the young protagonist,begins to navigate her world on Mango Street.In“The House on Mango Street,”Esperanza describes her family’s move to a small house that they own but is far from the dream home they had envisioned.She feels ashamed of its imperfections and doubts her parents’promise that it is only temporary.In“Hairs,”she reflects on the different types of hair in her family,highlighting the unique characteristics of each member.“Boys and Girls”shows how gender roles segregate her from her brothers outside the house,leaving her with the responsibility of looking after her younger sister,Nenny.In“My Name,”Esperanza explores the significance of her name,which means“hope”in English but also carries a sense of sadness and waiting in Spanish.“Cathy Queen of Cats”introduces Esperanza’s first friend in the neighborhood,Cathy,whose family plans to move away.In“Laughter,”Esperanza and Nenny bond over their shared,loud laughter,despite their differences in appearance.

Language Style
Sandra Cisneros employs a poetic and fragmented narrative style in these chapters.The short,vignette-like chapters mimic the way a young girl might observe and remember her experiences.The language is simple yet evocative,capturing the essence of Esperanza’s thoughts and feelings.For example,in“The House on Mango Street,”Esperanza’s description of the house is straightforward but filled with emotional weight:“It’s small and red.It has one bedroom and a bathroom.It’s not the house we dreamed of”.This simplicity allows readers to connect with Esperanza’s innocence and longing.

Feelings about some sentences
1. “It’s small and red.It has one bedroom and a bathroom.It’s not the house we dreamed of.”This sentence encapsulates Esperanza’s disappointment and the gap between her family’s dreams and reality.It also highlights her early awareness of the limitations imposed by poverty.

2. “In English my name means hope.In Spanish it means too many letters.It means sadness,it means waiting.”This quote from“My Name”reflects Esperanza’s struggle with identity and the dual nature of her heritage.Her name symbolizes both hope and the burden of expectations.

3. “We laugh in the same,loud way,and sometimes we have the same ideas.”In“Laughter,”this sentence captures the deep bond between Esperanza and Nenny,despite their differences.It shows that true connection can go beyond appearances.


Reflections
These chapters introduce readers to Esperanza’s world and her early struggles with identity,belonging,and the limitations of her environment.Her observations about her family,friends,and neighborhood reveal a young girl’s keen awareness of her surroundings and her place within them.Esperanza’s longing for a better home and a sense of belonging is a recurring theme,one that drives her desire to escape Mango Street.However,her relationships with her family and friends,such as Nenny and Cathy,also show the importance of connections and the support they provide.These chapters lay the groundwork for Esperanza’s journey of self-discovery and her eventual determination to create a better future for herself.