House on Mango Street

BACKGROUND AND PHOTOS OF

THE CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD
 DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

 Group 1: Biography
 Where and when was Cisneros born? Who
are her parents and/or siblings? Where did
she grow up? Go to school? Etc.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

 Group 2: Writing Career

 When did Cisneros start writing? Did she
have formal training, and if so, where? What
else has Cisneros written? What other genres
of writing is she known for? Etc.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

 Group 3: Influences
 Who has influenced Cisneros? Why did she
start writing? Does her culture influence her
writing? Are there recurring themes or ideas
in her work? Etc.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

 Group 4: Reviews and Critiques

 What do others say about Cisneros’ work?
Are there positive reviews/negative critiques?
What do others say about her style of
writing? Etc.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

 Group 5: Other Jobs and Interests

 What else has Cisneros done? Where has
she worked? What are her
interests/passions? Etc.
Sandra Cisneros

 Born 1954 in Chicago

 Addresses issues of
Hispanic American
women
 House on Mango Street
was first novel
House on Mango Street

 Main character
 Esperanza
 Struggling to grow up in Chicago's poverty-
stricken south side
 Short, interconnected chapters
 “Lyrical narratives, vivid dialogue, and
powerful descriptions”
 Written in vignettes
Vignette

 Short scene that focuses on one moment or

gives insight into a character, idea, or setting
 Poetic language
 Simile
 Metaphor
 Imagery
House on Mango Intro

 Read the back cover

 Look at illustrations on front and back
 Look at table of contents
 Flip through book
CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD
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House on Mango Street Themes

 Identity
 Community / Neighborhood
 Freedom / Growth
 Fitting In
 Coming of Age
 Home / Belonging
Essential Theme Questions

 How does environment shape our identity?

 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?
Names

 What is the personal significance of your

given name (first, middle and last)?
 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?
 “It means” (write three adjectives that describe you)
 “It is the number” (write any number you want)
 “It is like” (describe a color but don’t name it)
 “It is” (name something you remember experiencing with
family or friends)
 “It is the memory of” (name a person who has been
significant to you)
 “Who taught me” (write two abstract concepts like
“honesty”)
 “When he/she” (write about something that person did)
 “My name is” (“write your first name”)
 “It means” (state something important you believe about
life in 1-2 sentences)