Summary of the work - Sykalo Eugen 2023

Short summary - The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros

"The House on Mango Street" by Sandra Cisneros is a coming-of-age novel that explores the life of a young girl named Esperanza Cordero. The novel is set in a Latino neighborhood in Chicago, and it is written in a series of vignettes, each depicting a different aspect of her life and experiences.

The story begins with Esperanza's family moving into a new house on Mango Street. For Esperanza, the move is a significant event. She is excited at first, but she soon realizes that the house is not what she expected. The house is run-down and small, and she has to share a bedroom with her younger sister. This is the beginning of Esperanza's journey of self-discovery, and the reader is taken along for the ride.

Throughout the novel, Esperanza shares her experiences with the reader. She observes the people in her neighborhood, and she dreams of a better life for herself and her family. The novel touches on several themes, including identity, belonging, and the American Dream.

One of the key themes in the novel is the search for identity. Esperanza struggles to find her own identity and to define herself as a person. She is ashamed of her family's poverty and the fact that they are immigrants. She wants to distance herself from her culture, but as she grows older, she begins to realize the importance of her heritage and the value of her community.

Another important theme in the novel is the idea of belonging. Esperanza longs to belong somewhere and to have a place that she can call home. She feels disconnected from her community and dreams of leaving Mango Street. However, she soon realizes that her community has shaped her into the person she is, and she finds comfort in her connection to her neighborhood.

The novel also touches on the American Dream, which is a recurring theme throughout the book. Esperanza dreams of a better life for herself and her family, but she soon realizes that the American Dream is not always attainable for people like her. She sees the struggles of her neighbors and the limitations that poverty and discrimination place on their lives.

Each vignette in the novel is a snapshot of Esperanza's life and experiences. Some of the key moments in the novel include her observations of the women in her neighborhood, her encounter with a sexually abusive man, and her friendship with Sally, a girl who is trapped in an abusive relationship.

The novel ends with Esperanza's realization that she will never truly leave Mango Street, but that she can still work towards a better life for herself and her community. She acknowledges the importance of her heritage and the role that her community has played in shaping her identity.

Sandra Cisneros does an excellent job of using imagery and metaphor to create a vivid picture of Esperanza's life. The reader is transported to Mango Street and is given a glimpse into the struggles and triumphs of the Latino community in Chicago.

Overall, "The House on Mango Street" is a powerful novel that explores the complexities of identity, belonging, and the American Dream. Through Esperanza's experiences, the reader gains insight into the struggles and triumphs of the Latino community in Chicago. This novel is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the immigrant experience in America and the importance of community in shaping our identities.