Literature Analysis #2

1. The novel, The House on Mango Street, written by Sandra Cisneros is a collection of stories written in the point of view of a 12 year old little girl named Esperanza (which is Spanish for Hope).  She is a Mexican American living on
   Mango Street
   which is in Chicago. The novel is over a year, and over the year, Esperanza grows significantly.  Fulfilling her name, she finds hope of a better life. She realizes that the poverty on
   Mango Street
   can be left, and that the written word and poetry are able to mentally take her to a place of enjoyment.
2. A theme of the novel is healthy relationships. Esperanza, like every growing girl, has dreams and aspirations. Hers include having a nice home in a nice neighborhood far away from
   Mango Street
   . Yet, also similar to growing girls, Esperanza wishes for intimacy with the opposite sex. She then observes relationships in her neighborhood, but they are a terrible example considering they are all dysfunctional. The men are the head of the house, and are mostly abusive to their wives. Because this is all Esperanza has ever seen, she believes that she’ll have to choose between a man and being a strong individual.
3. I believe that the tone of the novel is the story of Hope.  This is not only evident through Esperanza’s name, but by the hope that Esperanza has of a better life. Her family came to America with hope in their hearts of a better life, and they were able to achieve that. Now Esperanza is aware of a world that is better than her own, and wishes to change her situation. In the novel, Esperanza is sexually assaulted, and although a horrific experience, she is able to remain confident and express herself through poetry and writing.
4. To begin, I like the syntax and diction of the novel because it is written like a conversation. It is through the eyes and words of Esperanza, and I like that because it holds my attention. I could really imagine her world on
   Mango Street
   .