by Sandra Cisneros
Follow the
links and answer the questions in writing:
http://www.english.uiuc.edu/maps/poets/a_f/cisneros/career.htm
1. Click on "Career." What originally prompted Cisneros to write House on Mango Street?
2. Click on "Biographical." Esperanza's character is encouraged to return to her roots and help others, as Cisneros herself did following grad school. How did Cisneros work to make a difference in her community after she obtained her Master's Degree?
3. Click on "External Links" and click on "Old Maids" and read the poem. What did the cousins learn from the marriages they observe (hint: click on the following links and read about these people's namesakes in classic literature):
Ariadne: http://homepage.mac.com/cparada/GML/Ariadne.html
Vashti: http://www.tfdixie.com/holidays/purim/002.htm#cs
http://www.ucalgary.ca/~elsegal/Shokel/910301_Vashti.html
Penelope: http://homepage.mac.com/cparada/GML/Penelope.html
Malintzin: http://www.famousamericans.net/ormalintzinmarina/
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/mangostreet/
1. Click on "Themes, motifs, and Symbols." In what way does language represent both imprisonment and freedom in the novel?
2. The novella presents a number of women who are trapped by their relationships with men. Read the section on "sexuality vs. autonomy"and list (and explain) as many examples as you can from the book of women who are held back in various ways by their relationships with men in their patriarchal society.
3. Read the section on "Women's unfulfilled responsibilities to each other." Do you agree with the assessment that Esperanza grows in her understanding of her responsibilities toward other women? Why or why not? Use evidence from the novella to back up your claim.
4. Briefly describe how falling is used as a motif in the novel.
5. Briefly describe how windows are used as a motif in the novella.
6. Is there a connection between # 4 and # 5? Explain.
7. Briefly describe how shoes are used as symbols.
8. Briefly describe how trees are used as symbols.
9. Write a one-paragraph essay telling what you believe the carnival or the clown symbolize , with an ICD, three proofs, three integrated quotes, analysis, and a conclusion. (Information not available on the web site)
10. Read the section on poetry. This write suggests that the characters use language to try and better their circumstances by finding beauty in the midst of their difficult circumstances. ..
a. Is this the only way in which writing is shown to be "a way out" in the novella? Explain.
b. Respond in a one paragraph answer: do you think this use of language is ultimately beneficial or harmful? Explain.
Backgrounds and animated gifs were provided by the following:
http://www.ender-design.com/rg/backidx.html%20background
Http://www.animationlibrary.com
http://www.fg-a.com/african_art_ba.shtml%20%20mango
http://www.english.uiuc.edu/maps/poets/a_f/cisneros/career.htm
1. Click on "Career." What originally prompted Cisneros to write House on Mango Street?
2. Click on "Biographical." Esperanza's character is encouraged to return to her roots and help others, as Cisneros herself did following grad school. How did Cisneros work to make a difference in her community after she obtained her Master's Degree?
3. Click on "External Links" and click on "Old Maids" and read the poem. What did the cousins learn from the marriages they observe (hint: click on the following links and read about these people's namesakes in classic literature):
Ariadne: http://homepage.mac.com/cparada/GML/Ariadne.html
Vashti: http://www.tfdixie.com/holidays/purim/002.htm#cs
http://www.ucalgary.ca/~elsegal/Shokel/910301_Vashti.html
Penelope: http://homepage.mac.com/cparada/GML/Penelope.html
Malintzin: http://www.famousamericans.net/ormalintzinmarina/
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/mangostreet/
1. Click on "Themes, motifs, and Symbols." In what way does language represent both imprisonment and freedom in the novel?
2. The novella presents a number of women who are trapped by their relationships with men. Read the section on "sexuality vs. autonomy"and list (and explain) as many examples as you can from the book of women who are held back in various ways by their relationships with men in their patriarchal society.
3. Read the section on "Women's unfulfilled responsibilities to each other." Do you agree with the assessment that Esperanza grows in her understanding of her responsibilities toward other women? Why or why not? Use evidence from the novella to back up your claim.
4. Briefly describe how falling is used as a motif in the novel.
5. Briefly describe how windows are used as a motif in the novella.
6. Is there a connection between # 4 and # 5? Explain.
7. Briefly describe how shoes are used as symbols.
8. Briefly describe how trees are used as symbols.
9. Write a one-paragraph essay telling what you believe the carnival or the clown symbolize , with an ICD, three proofs, three integrated quotes, analysis, and a conclusion. (Information not available on the web site)
10. Read the section on poetry. This write suggests that the characters use language to try and better their circumstances by finding beauty in the midst of their difficult circumstances. ..
a. Is this the only way in which writing is shown to be "a way out" in the novella? Explain.
b. Respond in a one paragraph answer: do you think this use of language is ultimately beneficial or harmful? Explain.
Backgrounds and animated gifs were provided by the following:
http://www.ender-design.com/rg/backidx.html%20background
Http://www.animationlibrary.com
http://www.fg-a.com/african_art_ba.shtml%20%20mango