House on Mango Street Characters

Esperanza

The novel's heroine and narrator, an approximately twelve-year-old Chicana (Mexican-American girl). is a building writer who wishes for a home of her own. The House on Mango Street chronicles a year in her life; Means "hope" in Spanish.

Lucy

Esperanza's best friend; lives across the street from Esperanza. the older sister, was born in Texas,

Rachel

Another girl that lives across the street from Esperanza; is the younger sibling born in Chicago

Nenny

Esperanza's little sister whose real name is Magdalena, is a pretty, dreamy little girl for whom Esperanza is often responsible; is immature, she is often a source of embarrassment for Esperanza when the two of them play with Rachel and Lucy.

Marin

A young woman from Puerto Rico who lives with her cousin's family. She sells makeup for Avon and teaches Esperanza and her friends about the world of boys.

Alicia

Esperanza's friend who attends a local university.Since mother died, her father forces her to take over the family's domestic chores. ____ is a rare example of a neighborhood girl who has not tried to escape the neighborhood through marriage, but instead works hard and hopes to change her life from within.

Carlos and Kiki

Esperanza's younger brothers

Uncle Nacho

Esperanza's friendly uncle, who gets her to dance at her cousin's baptism

Aunt Lupe

Esperanza's aunt. In her youth, was a vibrant, beautiful swimmer, but now she is old, blind, and bed-ridden. She listens to Esperanza's poems and encourages her to keep writing, but Esperanza and her friends mock behind her back.

Elenita

A witch woman Esperanza visits to have her fortune told.

Ruthie

A childish grown-up neighbor who enjoys playing with Esperanza and her friends.

Geraldo

A guy Marin dances with and then is hit by a car (no last name)

Mamacita

The overweight Mexican wife of another neighbor.omes to America at great expense to her husband, but she is wildly unhappy. She never learns English and never leaves her third-floor apartment.

Rafaela

A neighborhood woman whose husband locks her in their apartment because he is afraid she'll run off. Drinks papaya juice

Sire

Esperanza's first crush

The three sisters

Old ladies Esperanza meets at Lucy and Rachel's baby sister's wake; are mysterious and guess Esperanza's hopes and dreams. They advise Esperanza always to return to Mango Street after she leaves it.

Sally

Esperanza's friend that is beaten by her dad because her dad thinks she is too pretty. Also is the one that kisses all the guys in the Monkey Garden and is the one that ditches her at the carnival

Cathy

Esperanza's first friend in the neighborhood.mmoves out the week after Esperanza's family moves in. She discourages Esperanza from becoming friends with Rachel and Lucy. She is one of the few characters who is not from Mexico or Latin America.