house on mango street characters

Narrator and protagonist; dreams of leaving Mango Street and becoming a writer

Esperanza

Esperanza’s practical, loving mother.

mama

Esperanza’s hardworking father.

papa

Esperanza’s older brother.

carlos

Esperanza’s younger brother.

kiki

Esperanza’s younger sister; innocent and playful.

nenny

Esperanza’s first friend who moves away; represents temporary friendship.

cathy

Lives in the same neighborhood; famous for breaking his arm in a treehouse accident.

meme ortiz (juan)

Teen girl who babysits; dreams of love and escape; teaches Esperanza about adolescence.

Marin

Overwhelmed mother of many children; represents chaos and struggle in poverty.

rosa vargas

Owner of the neighborhood store; minor figure in daily life.

mr benny

Mentally immature adult neighbor; childlike despite being grown.

ruthie

Strict landlord; represents adult authority in the neighborhood.

edna

enant who brings women home; represents adult danger and secrecy.

earl

Esperanza’s first crush; stares as her alot

sire

Esperanza’s neighbor; marries young to escape her abusive father

sally

Young woman in the neighborhood; writes poems but trapped in an abusive marriage.

minerva

Studious young woman; inspired Esperanza to pursue education and writing.

alicia

Fortune teller; gives Esperanza a cryptic reading about her future

elenita

Mysterious women at a wake; tell Esperanza she will leave Mango Street but must return.

three sisters

Woman locked in her apartment by her husband; longs for freedom.

Rafaela

Classmate who is normally stupid; points out “God” in the sky, showing insight in small observations.

darius

Neighborhood boy; flirts with girls, minor figure in street life

tito

Friend in the neighborhood; minor friend figure.

Lois

Minor neighborhood boy; part of street gang/friends group

gil

Strict nun at Esperanza’s school; represents authority and discipline.

sister sperior

Rowdy, neglected children in the neighborhood; symbolize chaos and poverty.

vargas kids