Say, Mean, Matter Journal: The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros

Rationale (why we do this): Writing is a medium that allows authors to express their thoughts, experiences and life-views. Sandra Cisneros gives her narrator a voice and by the end of this unit, you will find your voice and tell your story. You will reflect on life and the world around you as you, like Esperanza, consider the role you are willing to play.

Rationale cont.: You will write your thoughts in a series of vignettes similar to the ones in The House on Mango Street.

While reading, you will keep a journal: Right Side Journal Directions: SAY: what does the story say – find an interesting quote MEAN: What does it mean to you? What do you have to say? 2-3 MATTERs: Why does it matter to the story, you, life, humanity, the theme, This needs to be in the form of 3 column chart

Directions cont. Personal Connections: Literary Analysis: Turn your SMM entries into 1 Paragraph per day (choose from the 3 chapters) - Either: Personal Connections: (What the author says) Literary Analysis: (How the author says it) Try to balance each type of response so that you do not have ALL personal connections and no literary analysis.

Your means & matters might include: Predictions Evaluations Analysis Personal connection to the passage Reflections Ask a question Clarify the passage in your own words

Left Side Directions You will create your own novel by the end of this unit. Choose one of the questions from the House on Mango Street handout. Write your response to the question on the left side of the journal. You do not have to respond to every chapter. You will need 20 responses (pages) for your book.

Theme: Esperanza is a girl becoming a woman. She is transitioning from childhood to womanhood and is realizing that growing up has certain requirements. One of the main requirements is choosing your role in society.

Reflection: Answer the following question in your journals: In the future, what role are you willing to play in society? What role are you not willing to play? How will you decide and ensure you are who you want to be?

Example from “ The House on Mango Street”

SAY, MEAN, MATTER parag. example for The House on Mango Street: There are numerous members of Esperanza’s family. For example, “by the time we got to Mango Street we were six---Mama, Papa, Carlos, Kiki, my sister Nenny and me.” Having this many family members might present a challenge for Esperanza. On the other hand, her large family might be a source of strength and support. This matters because her character will be shaped by her experiences. She might look up to each member or be the role model. Because of this it changes the way she might act in the story. Her family, like most people’s, is important to her.

Example from “ The House on Mango Street” Passage “You live there? The way she said it made me feel like nothing” Response A nun, a person in a position of power, made her feel that way? That is unacceptable. This nun may represent all of society looking down on Esperanza.

Example from “Hairs” Passage: Mean / Matter “pin curls” Descriptions of each characters hairs is a description of their personalities

Example from “Hairs” Passage “And me, my hair is lazy.” “Everyone in our family has different hair.” Response She does not like her hair. Her family members have better hair. Symbolically the diff. descriptions of hair represent the diff. personalities of her family members

Example from “Hairs” Passage “But my mother’s hair, my mother’s hair, . . . and Papa snoring.” Response This is stream of consciousness b/c it is her mind just flowing with ideas. Her mom is the most imp. In her family and her source of comfort.