The House on Mango Street

士多啤梨

Reading Time: 3-4 hours (spread over 2 days)  
Reading Task： Chapter "Meme Ortiz", "Louie, His Cousin & His Other Cousin", "Martin" ,"Those Who Don’t"  
Summary of the Content
1. Meme Ortiz
Meme moves into Cathy’s vacated house with his dog. He injures himself trying to jump over a spiked fence during a race, symbolizing the risks of youthful ambition.  
2. Louie, His Cousin & His Other Cousin
Louie’s cousin steals a yellow Cadillac, leading to a police chase and crash. The story contrasts fleeting joy (riding in the car) with harsh reality (arrest and consequences).  
3. Martin
Esperanza attends a baby shower for Martin’s wife, revealing cultural rituals and generational cycles of poverty. The chapter critiques limited opportunities for women.  
4. Those Who Don’t
Cisneros dissects racial stereotypes: outsiders fear Mango Street’s Latino community, while residents fear white neighborhoods. Reflects mutual distrust between marginalized and privileged groups.  
Evaluation  
Writing Style:
1.Poetic vignettes blend childlike simplicity with profound metaphors (e.g., Meme’s fence as a barrier to aspirations).  
2.Dialogue-driven narratives ("Louie’s Cousin") create urgency and authenticity.  
Themes:
1.Identity & Belonging: Meme’s injury mirrors Esperanza’s struggles to navigate her environment.  
2.Cycle of Poverty: Martin’s baby shower symbolizes trapped futures; the stolen car represents desperate escapes.  
3.Prejudice: "Those Who Don’t" critiques systemic "othering" through sparse, impactful prose.  
Literary Devices
1.Symbolism (fence, car, neighborhood boundaries)  
2.Juxtaposition of hope and disillusionment  
Reflection
1. Immigrant Communities: The mutual fear in "Those Who Don’t" mirrors modern biases against marginalized groups (e.g.anti-immigrant rhetoric). Cisneros challenges readers to confront their own prejudices.  
2. Youthful Risk-Taking: Meme’s accident resonates with how societal barriers (poverty, racism) amplify ordinary childhood risks for marginalized youth.  
3. Cycles of Trauma: Louie’s cousin’s arrest and Martin’s resigned parenthood reflect systemic issues—limited education and economic opportunities that persist today.