The House on Mango Street By Sandra Cisneros

The House on Mango Street By Sandra Cisneros Background, Style, and Themes

Sandra Cisneros ■ Born 1954 in Chicago ■ Addresses issues of Hispanic American women ■ House on Mango Street was first novel ■ Based novel on her personal experiences and people she knew

The House on Mango Street ❏ Tells the story of Esperanza who is struggling to grow up in Chicago's poverty-stricken south side as a Mexican-American, young woman ❏ Bildungsroman: “coming of age” ❏ Told in short, interconnected chapters ❏ Relies on “lyrical narratives, vivid dialogue, and powerful descriptions” ❏ Written in vignettes

Style: Vignette ■ Short scene that focuses on one moment or gives insight into a character, idea, or setting ■Does not have a plot which would make it a short story, but it does reveal something about the mood and tone. ■ Has a theme or central idea of its own and describes a specific event or character that is important. ■ Cisneros attempts to reveal the life of a young girl, a daughter of Mexican immigrants, growing up in the inner city of the United States.

Terms and Literary Devices ❑ ❑ ❑ Simile: comparison using like or as Metaphor: comparing two seemingly not alike things without using like or as Imagery: visually descriptive or figurative language Theme: a central idea in a text Personification: giving inanimate object human-like qualities Alliteration: the repetition of similar consonant sounds within a phrase or sentence.

Terms and Literary Devices ❏Tone: an attitude of a writer toward a subject or an audience ❏ Can be formal, informal, serious, comic, sarcastic, sad, and cheerful (etc. ) ❏Mood: certain feelings or vibes evoked in readers through words and descriptions ❏Indirect Characterization: showing the character's personality through speech, actions and appearance. ❏Dynamic Character: a character who changes throughout the novel

Terms and Literary Devices ❏Static Character: a character who remains the same throughout the novel ❏Bildungsroman: a coming of age story (German) ❏Double Consciousness: describes the individual sensation of feeling as though your identity is divided into several parts, making it difficult or impossible to have one unified identity (W. E. B. Du. Bois) ❏Gender Roles: the public image of being a particular gender that a person presents to others

Character List Esperanza Cordero: The novel’s heroine and narrator Rachel and Lucy: Esperanza’s best friends Sally: A young girl Esperanza befriends the same year she moves to Mango Street Nenny: Esperanza’s little sister Marin: A young woman from Puerto Rico who lives with her cousin’s family

Character List Nenny: Esperanza’s little sister Marin: A young woman from Puerto Rico who lives with her cousin’s family Papa and Mama: Esperanza’s father and mother Alicia: Esperanza’s friend who attends a local university Cathy: Esperanza’s first friend in the neighborhood http: //www. youtube. com/wat ch? v=0 Pyf 89 Vs. Nmg (story)

What is the personal significance of your given name (first, middle and last)? Names Does your name mean different things to you, your family, and your friends? What are your nicknames? What do your nicknames mean to you and those who call you those names?

■ House on Mango Street Themes ■ ■ ■ Identity Community / Neighborhood Freedom / Growth Fitting In Coming of Age Home / Belonging The “American Dream”

Add these themes to your notes! Maintaining a double identity or “double consciousness” Additional Themes The power of art to transform lives The influence of socioeconomic status The influence of gender roles

How does environment shape our identity? Essential Theme Questions What identities, if any, are permanent and which do we have the power to change? What roles do neighborhood and community play in shaping who we become?

Direct vs. Indirect Characterization

Quickwrite ■ What is the difference between direct and indirect? ■ What is an example of something that is “direct”? What is an example of something that is “indirect”? ■ Partner Share!

Direct Characterization ■ direct characterization: the author or narrator makes direct statements about a character’s traits. The author tells us about the character’s personality to our face. ■ TELLING ■ Example: – “The patient boy and quiet girl were both well mannered and did not disobey their mother. ” – Explanation: The author is directly telling the audience the personality of these two children. The boy is “patient” and the girl is “quiet. ”

Indirect Characterization ■ ■ ■ Indirect characterization : the author or narrator reveals a character’s traits through his or her actions and speech. SHOWING When Jane walked in the room, nobody could help but look at her stunning, gorgeous face. She commanded attention wherever she went due to her good looks. – Jane is beautiful. ■ Jim was very unlike any other businessman. He made sure that all his clients got what they had paid for. – Jim is honest and hardworking.

STEAL Method ■Speech ■Thoughts ■Effect on others character. ■Actions ■Looks toward the

Indirect Characterization ■ SPEECH - What does the character say? How does the character speak? ■ THOUGHTS - What is revealed through the character’s private thoughts and feelings? ■ EFFECTS - What is revealed through the character’s effect on other people? How do other characters feel or behave in reaction to the character? ■ ACTIONS - What does the character do? How does the character behave? ■ LOOKS - What does the character look like? How does the character dress?

Freewrite ■ Provide both a direct and indirect characterization of yourself based on the story of your life. Each should be 3 -4 sentences. Write one sentence explaining why your responses are direct or indirect.

Direct or Indirect Characterization? ■ A. Ed Johnson scratched his head in confusion as the sales rep explained Dralco’s newest engine performance diagnostic computer. The old mechanic hated modern electronics, preferring the old days when all he needed was a stack of manuals and a good set of tools. ■ Direct!

Direct or Indirect Characterization? B. “That Ed Johnson, ” said Anderson, watching the old mechanic scratch his head in confusion as the sales rep explained Dralco’s newest engine performance diagnostic computer. “He hasn’t got a clue about modern electronics. Give him a good set of tools and a stack of yellowing manuals with a carburetor needing repair, and he’d be happy as a hungry frog in a fly-field. ” ■ Indirect! ■

Direct or Indirect Characterization? C. Julie held up six different outfits in front of the mirror and pondered which would go best with her navy blue shoes, pastel eye shadow and the diamond earrings she’d already procured from her overflowing vanity. After ninety minutes of mixing and matching, and cellphoning her sister three times for advice, Julie finally made up her mind. She’d give the navy blue skirt and white sweater a try, hoping Trent would love it. ■ Indirect! ■

Direct or Indirect Characterization? ■ Julie owned a multitude of outfits and accessories, and it always took her forever to decide which combination might impress Trent. As usual, she called her sister several times for advice. After doing so, Julie decided to give the navy blue skirt with the white sweater a try.

Indirect or Direct Characterization? ■ http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=3 J 9 T 9 1 r 0 p 0 E&safe=active ■ http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=zv. Qjbr Jqu. Fs&safe=active – : 34 ■ http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=m. WB Wn. JMHEs 8&safe=active

What about this scene?