The house on mango street

红薯栗子

Reading Time

One hour

Reading Task

Chapter 1 to Chapter 3 of The House on Mango Street

Summary of the Content

The narrator, Esperanza, introduces her family's new home on Mango Street. It's not the dream house they hoped for. The house is small and in a rundown neighborhood, but it's their own.
Esperanza describes the different hair textures and qualities of the women in her family. She associates each person's hair with their unique personalities and the comfort or annoyance it brings. For example, her mother's hair is “like little rosettes, like little candy circles all curly and pretty.”
Esperanza talks about the clear - cut separation between boys and girls in her neighborhood. Boys have more freedom to play in the street, while girls' activities are more restricted. She observes how the boys act tough and the girls are expected to be more reserved.

Evaluation

The writing is simple, yet vivid and full of imagery. Cisneros uses short, straightforward sentences which make the narrative accessible, especially for young readers. The use of vivid descriptions, like those of the hair, helps create a strong sense of place and character.
The themes of identity, home, and gender roles are introduced early on. The dissatisfaction with the new home shows Esperanza's longing for a better living environment, which is a part of her search for identity. The description of hair can be seen as a symbol of self - identity within the family. The division between boys and girls clearly presents the theme of gender roles in the community.
The author manages to convey complex social and personal ideas in a simple and engaging way. By showing Esperanza's observations, the reader gets an inside look at the life of a young girl growing up in a particular cultural and social context.

Reflection
This part made me reflect on my own childhood memories of home and family. Just like Esperanza, I have my own associations with family members through small details, like how Esperanza associated people with their hair. It also made me recall the gender - based restrictions I witnessed or experienced during my childhood, which were similar to those in the story.
Regarding social issues, it highlights the importance of housing quality and its impact on a family's well - being. The gender - role division shown in the book also makes me think about how gender norms are still prevalent in many societies, restricting the freedom and opportunities of individuals based on their gender.