1. “The House on Mango Street”

2. Sandra Cisneros Born 1954 in Chicago
Addresses issues of Hispanic American women
“The House on Mango Street” is a novel that contains several vignettes.

3. 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

4. Vignette
Short scene that focuses on one moment or gives insight into a character, idea, or setting
Poetic language
Simile
Metaphor
Imagery

5. House on Mango Street Themes
Identity
Community / Neighborhood
Freedom / Growth
Fitting In
Coming of Age
Home / Belonging

6. 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?

7. Name, Heritage and Culture
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?

8. Answer the following about yourself:
“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)

9. Write your own Vignette: a glimpse into something more…
Once you have answered the questions from the last slide, you are to compose a vignette about your neighborhood house. Either an old house, the house you currently reside, or a future house you want to reside.
The vignette must be one page.
We will share our vignettes at the end of class, if time permits.