In the following text I would like to give an approach to the identity of the protagonist Esperanza Cordero in the novel “The House on Mango Street”. I will start with a short summary of the book. In part 3 I will take a closer look on the characters in her environment that coined her most during the stay on Mango Street. Part 4 finally will occupy with Esperanza’s identity, on the one hand as awoman and on the other hand as a writer. In part 5 I will sum up my results and draw a conclusion.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Short summary
- The major characters of the story
- Nenny
- Sally
- Alicia
- The search for identity
- As a woman
- As a writer
Objectives and Key Themes
This text aims to explore the development of the protagonist Esperanza Cordero's identity in Sandra Cisneros' novel “The House on Mango Street”. It analyzes the impact of her environment on her self-perception, particularly as a woman and a writer. The text examines the challenges Esperanza faces as a young Chicano woman living in poverty and explores how she seeks to overcome these obstacles.
- The impact of environment on identity formation
- The struggles of young Chicano women in poverty
- The search for self-discovery and agency
- The role of writing in achieving self-expression and escape
- The complexities of female sexuality and relationships
Chapter Summaries
The introduction provides an overview of the text's objectives and structure. The chapter “Short summary” introduces the novel and its main themes, highlighting Esperanza's coming-of-age journey and her desire to overcome limitations imposed by her circumstances. The chapter “The major characters of the story” delves into the lives of key characters, including Esperanza's sister Nenny, her friend Sally, and her mentor Alicia. Each character plays a significant role in shaping Esperanza's understanding of the world and her own place within it. These chapters offer a glimpse into the challenges Esperanza faces as she navigates her youth, relationships, and aspirations for a better future.
Keywords
The primary themes and concepts explored in this text include identity formation, coming-of-age, Chicano culture, poverty, gender roles, female sexuality, the power of writing, and the search for self-discovery and agency. The analysis focuses on the experiences of a young Chicano woman navigating the complexities of life in a marginalized community.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central theme of "The House on Mango Street"?
The central theme is the search for identity by the protagonist Esperanza Cordero, specifically her development as a young woman and as a writer within a marginalized community.
How do secondary characters like Sally and Alicia influence Esperanza?
Sally represents the dangers of female sexuality and the traps of domesticity, while Alicia serves as a mentor and model for escaping poverty through education and intellectual independence.
What role does writing play in Esperanza's life?
Writing is Esperanza's tool for self-expression and her path to agency. It allows her to process her environment and provides a metaphorical "house" for her spirit before she can find a physical one.
How does the setting of Mango Street impact identity formation?
The poverty and Chicano culture of Mango Street impose limitations on Esperanza, forcing her to confront gender roles and social expectations while fueling her desire for self-discovery and escape.
Is "The House on Mango Street" a coming-of-age story?
Yes, it is a classic Bildungsroman or coming-of-age novel that follows Esperanza's journey from childhood innocence to a mature understanding of her identity and her potential as a writer.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Dipl. Germ. Florian Wenz (Autor:in), 2006, Sandra Cisneros’ "The House on Mango Street" - The search for identity as a woman and as a writer, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/192731
