The House on Mango Street: Key Themes, Characters, and Plot Details
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How was the house on Mango Street different from the other houses the family had lived in?
They owned it themselves.
Describe the house on Mango Street.
Old, red, with hallway stairs, small windows, and kind of falling apart.
Why does the narrator say Nenny is not her friend?
She's too young/immature.
What does the narrator want to have someday?
A best friend.
What is the narrator's name and what does it mean in English and Spanish?
Esperanza; means 'Hope' and 'too many letters'. Named after her great grandmother.
What did Esperanza buy and how did she go about buying it?
A bike, bought with Rachel, Lucy, and Nenny's money.
What did the girls discover in the furniture store that made Esperanza feel stupid?
A music box.
What is special about the tree in Meme's yard?
It was the site of a Tarzan jumping contest where Meme broke both arms.
What happened when Louie's other cousin visited?
They stole a Cadillac, went for a joyride, crashed it, and got arrested.
Where is Marin going in a year and why?
Puerto Rico, to be with her boyfriend.
What matters, according to Marin?
Looks; 50% of the boys notice them.
What scares the people who come into Esperanza's neighborhood?
They are scared of the people of Mango Street because they don't understand them.
What does Esperanza say the Vargas kids don't have?
An attentive mother and a father; no respect for human life.
What does Esperanza say about Alicia?
Her mom died, Alicia is the mommy of the family, she goes to college and is scared of her dad.
What wise thing did Darius say?
The cloud is God.
What happened while the girls were looking at the clouds?
They listed names and insulted each other.
Where did the girls get the shoes and what did they do with them?
From Lucy and Rachel's family; they walked around and got catcalled.
What happened when Esperanza took the note asking if she could stay for lunch?
She felt like she didn't belong and cried alone in the corner.
Why doesn't Esperanza want to dance?
She's embarrassed of her shoes.
How does Esperanza describe her feet?
Scuffed, round, crooked, and with dumb heels.
To what does Esperanza compare her hips?
A car, a Buick.
What information about hips does Esperanza have?
Scientific; if you don't have them, you become a man.
Why does Esperanza want to work?
She needs money for her Catholic school.
What news had Papa received and what does Esperanza do?
Her grandfather died; she comforts her dad.
What did the girls do to Aunt Lupe and what happened to her that day?
They mocked her while she was sick; she died.
How does Esperanza describe Elenita?
As a witch-woman.
What was Elenita's response when Esperanza asked about a house?
She'll have a home in the heart.
What is different about Ruthie?
She dresses and acts differently; Edna is actually nice to her, and Ruthie is mentally disabled.
What does Esperanza think about Ruthie?
She enjoys spending time with her but pities her.
What do all of the children in the neighborhood disagree on regarding Earl?
They agree he has a wife but can't agree on what she looks like.
Who are Sire and Lois?
Sire is a guy in the neighborhood whom Esperanza has a crush on; Lois is Sire's girlfriend.
What does Esperanza say about the trees?
They understand each other; they both don't belong on Mango Street.
What broke Mamacita's heart?
When her son started speaking English.
Why does Rafaela's husband lock her in the apartment?
She's too beautiful; he's worried she'll leave him.
What does Rafaela like to drink?
Coconut and papaya juice.
According to Esperanza, what does Sally want?
To be loved and to get attention.
Describe Minerva's life.
She has 2 kids, an abusive husband, and writes poems to escape.
Why doesn't Esperanza go out with her family on Sundays anymore?
She's ashamed of her family's life.
What does Esperanza say she will do when she is older?
Have an open, welcoming home.
What does Esperanza decide about growing up?
She doesn't want to be tamed, defining stereotypes and cultural norms.
What does Esperanza's mother say about herself?
She dropped out of school and could've had a future; she tells Esperanza to 'live the life'.
What happened to Sally?
She got beaten by her father, stayed with Esperanza, then went back and got beaten again.
Why does Esperanza think Sally got married?
To get away from her dad/home life.
What does Sally do all day?
She sits inside the house; her husband won't let her leave.
What did the three sisters tell Esperanza?
That she will move out of Mango Street one day but should come back for those who can't.
How does Esperanza feel about Mango Street?
She doesn't belong there, but Mango Street is her home.
How does Esperanza describe the house she wants?
Her own house with a porch, pillows, purple petunias, her own books, and stories.
What does Esperanza say she likes to do?
Tell stories about/for the people of Mango Street.
What are some of the main themes from the book?
Identity, the American dream, love vs. attention, consequences of abandonment, home/belonging, appearance vs. reality.