Sandra Cisneros is one of the most popular feminist Chicana writers. She was born in
Chicago in 1954 as the only daughter among six brothers of a Mexican – American
mother and a Mexican father. In her early childhood the family moved a lot between
Chicago and Mexico City, where her grandparents lived, so Cisneros never felt at home
anywhere. Hence, she spent most of her time reading for the family’s mobility prevented
the development of friendships. When she attended college in 1974 she started writing
poetry and prose in a creative writing class. There she created a style of writing that was
intentionally opposite to those of her classmates. After receiving her M.A. at the
University of Iowa she worked in a Chicano barrio in Chicago teaching high school
dropouts and later on as an administrative assistant at Loyola University Chicago.
Today she lives in San Antonio and is working on a new novel.
In the following the depiction of women in her novel “The House on Mango Street” will
be examined. This novel consists of a series of vignettes describing the growing up of the
young girl Esperanza in a barrio in Chicago as she herself reflects it with her youthful
naivety. She characterises different people, particularly women respectively girls
surrounding her in various situations and depicts the living conditions of the barrio in
general.
The different female characters appearing in the novel will be analysed in reference to
their deprived situation concerning race, gender and class. To that end the author will
initially give an insight into the image and role of women in the Mexican – American
culture. Accordingly the analysis of the different characters acting in various situations
against the background of this will follow.
The literature used for this work is English as well as German whereas indirect quotations
from the German literature will be translated with the knowledge of the author.
Due to its limited extend the following work is not exhaustive.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The role of women in Mexican – American society
3. Women in „The House On Mango Street
4. Conclusion
5. Literature
Objectives and Topics
This academic paper examines the depiction of female characters in Sandra Cisneros' novel "The House on Mango Street." It aims to analyze how these characters navigate their lives within a marginalized barrio environment, specifically focusing on the intersection of race, gender, and social class in Mexican-American society.
- The patriarchal structure and the role of women in Mexican-American culture.
- Analysis of female characters and their diverse experiences with domesticity and abuse.
- The quest for individual identity and self-empowerment through education and reflection.
- The influence of the Chicano Movement on feminist Chicana literature.
- The thematic struggle against the "male gaze" and limited societal prospects.
Excerpt from the Book
3. Women in “The House On Mango Street”
In the third vignette ‘Boys & Girls’ the narrator Esperanza points out that there are differences between male and female members of the family. “They’ve [the brothers] got plenty to say to me and Nenny inside the house. But outside they can’t be seen talking to girls.” This reflects the male dominance in families as Esperanza has experienced it since her early childhood. Her brothers Carlos and Kiki do not have to help in the household but Esperanza and her younger sister Nenny have to. The mother stays at home while the father is the one who earns the family income. She did not finish high school so she does not have much opportunities to earn money. Moreover four children require a lot of care. However, the mother is not satisfied with her situation.
“I could have been somebody, you know? My mother says and sighs. She has lived in this city her whole life. She can speak two languages. She can sing an opera. She knows how to fix a T.V. But she doesn’t know which subway train to take to get downtown.”
Anyway the mother is not able to improve her situation in life. She is not the only women which is trapped in her household, caring for a lot of children. Her situation is even better than those of others, like Rosa Vargas or Minerva. Rosa Vargas, a woman without a husband is in a very deprived situation, she has so many children that she can not take care of them.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces Sandra Cisneros as a prominent feminist Chicana writer and outlines the scope and methodology of the analysis regarding her novel.
2. The role of women in Mexican – American society: The author explores the cultural background of Mexican-American society, highlighting patriarchal structures, the "protector" image, and the economic pressures facing Chicana women.
3. Women in „The House On Mango Street: This section analyzes specific female characters in the novel, contrasting their domestic entrapment with the protagonist's growing awareness and desire for independence.
4. Conclusion: The conclusion synthesizes the findings, affirming that the novel serves as a critique of patriarchal oppression while suggesting that heritage can be a source of strength.
5. Literature: This chapter lists the academic sources and secondary literature utilized for the research.
Keywords
Sandra Cisneros, Chicana literature, Feminism, Mexican-American, Patriarchy, Esperanza, Identity, Gender roles, Barrio, Social class, Domestic violence, Education, Empowerment, Marginalization, Vignettes
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this academic paper?
The paper focuses on the literary depiction of women in Sandra Cisneros' novel "The House on Mango Street," exploring their socioeconomic and personal struggles.
What are the central themes of the work?
Key themes include patriarchal structures, the intersection of gender and class, the impact of economic poverty, and the search for female autonomy.
What is the primary research goal?
The goal is to analyze how the female characters in the novel reflect the reality of life for Chicanas and how they attempt to overcome systemic oppression.
Which scientific methods are employed?
The author uses a literary analysis approach, contextualizing the characters' experiences within sociopolitical theories about Chicana feminism and race relations.
What aspects are covered in the main section?
The main section investigates the lives of characters like the mother, Rosa Vargas, Minerva, and Sally, contrasting their situations with the protagonist Esperanza's path toward self-definition.
How can this work be categorized by its keywords?
It is best characterized by terms such as Chicana feminism, patriarchal structures, identity formation, and the depiction of the Mexican-American experience.
How does the author interpret the character of Sally?
The author views Sally as a symbol of the cycle of domestic violence and patriarchal control, who ultimately exchanges her father's authority for that of a restrictive husband.
What role does education play for the protagonist?
Education acts as a catalyst for Esperanza’s self-assurance and provides her with the mental tools to distance herself from the "Mango Street" expectations, ultimately leading to her sense of responsibility toward those left behind.
- Quote paper
- Bettina Nolde (Author), 2003, The depiction of women in Sandra Cisneros novel "The House On Mango Street", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/15382
