Micah's+Essays

Please select one of the following prompts to guide your essay for //The House on Mango Street// by Sandra Cisneros. 1. This book presents a vivid picture of the Chicano culture from the perspective of a poor female adolescent. What are some prejudices that Esperanza experiences because of her cultural identity and how do they affect her? How do Esperanza’s descriptions of her neighbors exemplify the Chicano perspective? 2. There are many metaphors and direct references to Esperanza escaping or leaving her house on Mango Street. Analyze and explain at least three of these references. What do the analogies tell you about Esperanza’s personality? How does her desire for physical relocation parallel her need for emotional escape? 3. How does Esperanza’s gender identity influence her experiences and opinions? Does her gender affect who she admires and dislikes? Defend your point of view. 4. Many times throughout the book, Cisneros uses descriptive grammar and idiomatic expressions to place emphasis on words or themes. Cite four examples of this tendency and analyze their effects on the story. 5. The name Esperanza comes from the Spanish verb //esperar// which means “to hope” and “to wait.” What does Esperanza hope for? How do her hopes change as she gets older? Does Esperanza “have” to wait, or is waiting her choice? Your first draft is due one week from today. The second draft is due two days after the peer review. The final draft is due two weeks from the date the essay was assigned. The essay must be 2-3 pages double spaced with Candara 12 point font. All margins of the paper should be set at one inch.