1. The House on Mango Street
By Susan Cisneros

2. Growing Up in Chicago Born in the Hispanic Quarter of Chicago in 1954
Mexican-American (Chicana)
She was the only girl in a family of seven, and grew up in poverty
Her parents emphasized education
Her family moved often; she was shy and introverted, but connected with her community privately through writing

3. The House on Mango Street: Narrator
The work is narrated by Esperanza Cordero, thirteen, a Chicana girl in Chicago.
Although told in the voice of a young girl, it addresses mature subject matter.
In English, Esperanza means hope, and also, waiting.
This choice of name is significant in the novel: the character and her independence represent a way out of the slums.

4. The House on Mango Street: Setting
Mango Street symbolizes both Esperanza’s ball and chain and her inspiration.
In the beginning of the novel, she is disappointed with the house on Mango Street.
She finds that she is not like the other residents of Mango, that she can and will find the strength to leave her life there.
She realizes that Mango is a part of her, and where she comes from is as important as where she’s going.
She knows she must come back, to help the others who are trapped there.

5. The House on Mango Street: Structure
The novel is told as a series of vignettes, 1-4 pages each
There is no real chronological plot, but a series of insights into Esperanza’s thoughts and feelings.

6. Elements of a Novel
Novel: type of literary work is lengthy ( pages)
Plot: the related series of events that make up a story
Conflict: the struggle(s) between opposing forces, usually characters. Character vs. Character; Character vs. Society, etc.

7. Elements of a Novel (continued)
Character: the individuals involved in the action of the story
Setting: the time and place the action occurs (Chicago 1990s)
Point of View: the perspective from which the story is told (Esperanza’s)

8. Elements of a Novel (continued)
Theme: the main idea behind a story
Protagonist: the main character of a story
Antagonist: the main character in opposition of the protagonist, can be a force of nature or society