House on Mango and Writing Style
The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros has been my favorite book that we have read on the syllabus so far in this class. Cisneros does an incredible job at flavorfully describing the harsh realities that come along with growing up in the projects and Latino community of the outskirts of Chicago. For such a short read, Cisneros does a perfect job of poetically describing the life of a young hispanic girl growing up in poverty. The book is disturbing, sad, goofy, exciting, and an overall emotional roller coaster. One of the best aspects of the book is the way it is written; in a poetry style that is smooth and beautiful to read because everything rolls off of your tongue so easily and flows through your head like a river.
Esperanza, the main voice of the novel, simply tells the audience the story of her childhood. It is not very organized, there is no chronological order to her voice, but somehow it fits the narrative. Esperanza fills the pages like she would her mind with thoughts about her situation. Cisneros has a lovely way of describing the thought process of a young impoverished girl not only coping with a harsh living situation, but all sorts of other ideas and realizations that most teenage girls and boys go through. Esperanza talks about what it is like living on Mango Street and how she feels about their home and why. "I knew then I had to have a house. A real house. One I could point to. But this isn't it. The house on Mango Street isn't it. For the time being, Mama says. Temporary, says Papa. But I know how those things go." (5) Esperanza talks about growing up as a female on Mango Street and what she hopes to become as a woman. "I have begun my own quiet war. Simple. Sure. I am one who leaves the table like a man, without putting back the chair or picking up the plate." (89) Some of my favorite scenes that Esperanza talks about are about the other girls she grows up with on Mango Street and how they act and why she thinks that is. "Marin, under the streetlight, dancing by herself, is singing the same song somewhere. I know. Is waiting for a car to stop, a star to fall, someone to change her life." (27)
In conclusion, I love the diction of House on Mango Street and how it is mostly a work of poetry. I prefer reading poetry to anything else and it is what has always inspired me. Cisneros captures her words in such a way that they give you a special feeling that not much else has been able to give you. At least, that's how I feel about it. She manages to make every part of the book sound and feel amazing, even if what she's describing isn't necessarily a good thing. Esperanza seems to turn every situation into an opportunity to learn and grow and that only makes the book that much more memorable. I hope we have the privilege to read more books like this in class and I can't wait to check out more of Cisneros work.
Esperanza, the main voice of the novel, simply tells the audience the story of her childhood. It is not very organized, there is no chronological order to her voice, but somehow it fits the narrative. Esperanza fills the pages like she would her mind with thoughts about her situation. Cisneros has a lovely way of describing the thought process of a young impoverished girl not only coping with a harsh living situation, but all sorts of other ideas and realizations that most teenage girls and boys go through. Esperanza talks about what it is like living on Mango Street and how she feels about their home and why. "I knew then I had to have a house. A real house. One I could point to. But this isn't it. The house on Mango Street isn't it. For the time being, Mama says. Temporary, says Papa. But I know how those things go." (5) Esperanza talks about growing up as a female on Mango Street and what she hopes to become as a woman. "I have begun my own quiet war. Simple. Sure. I am one who leaves the table like a man, without putting back the chair or picking up the plate." (89) Some of my favorite scenes that Esperanza talks about are about the other girls she grows up with on Mango Street and how they act and why she thinks that is. "Marin, under the streetlight, dancing by herself, is singing the same song somewhere. I know. Is waiting for a car to stop, a star to fall, someone to change her life." (27)
In conclusion, I love the diction of House on Mango Street and how it is mostly a work of poetry. I prefer reading poetry to anything else and it is what has always inspired me. Cisneros captures her words in such a way that they give you a special feeling that not much else has been able to give you. At least, that's how I feel about it. She manages to make every part of the book sound and feel amazing, even if what she's describing isn't necessarily a good thing. Esperanza seems to turn every situation into an opportunity to learn and grow and that only makes the book that much more memorable. I hope we have the privilege to read more books like this in class and I can't wait to check out more of Cisneros work.
Hi Madison! I also really really loved Cisneros's writing style! I actually normally don't love poetry, and I didn't expect to like a book written in vignettes. However, I agree with you that her writing style, use of figurative language, and appeals to the 5 senses were all very appealing. The way she describes each scene lets the reader feel and imagine it for themselves. I really love how real and visceral the book seemed.
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