The House on Mango Street from Sandra Cisneros illustrates the problems Latin women have to face in a cultural environment that is full of racism, prejudice, discrimination and sexism. In the book’s depiction, men are dominant and women are praised more for their looks. Latina women are treated in a way that is not equal, like they are second-rate. The book’s purpose is to highlight the problems and struggles Latina women have to deal with every day. It also shows the sense that people feel when they are obligated to take care of their families and communities. Cisneros is the best at portraying the effects of stigmatization on the community, as well as the events that occur in Esperanza’s lifetime and the feelings of obligation to duty.
Cisnero depicts women as objects in the relationships of their counterparts. The objectification occurs for women in various roles, including as employers, friends, daughters or girlfriends. Women are raised believing that their appearances matter most. The book shows that women are expected to be faithful with their spouses but the men control every aspect of their relationships. Esperanza has a different portrayal than other women characters. She was raised with the expectation that she would be happy playing the same part as the other female characters, but to her surprise, she isn’t. Esperanza comes to the realization that she is not happy with the role of the other women.
The Latina characters in the book are prone to extreme self-consciousness. Women believe that they won’t be taken seriously by men if their sexual appeal is not high. Women believe that they have to make themselves appealing enough for men to want to take them in, support and control them. All women are taught to believe that they would be helpless without a man. Esperanza hopes to escape the shackles of this community-imposed role, and dreams about a society that is controlled by men. She hopes that she can reach out to her community and help them break the bonds. Esperanza’s use of stigmatization as a tool to demonstrate the effects on the community is powerful, but her perspective from within the context of her own life and the bonds she forms is also very powerful.
Esperanza is shown to be growing both mentally and physically by Cisneros. The story describes her social development, puberty as well her first feelings toward someone of another gender. Esperanza’s writing gives her a way to express themselves while giving her a sense freedom and comfort. Her stories give a better picture of her neighborhood, as well as showing the many paths she could take. Esperanza meets two Latinas who live near her new home shortly after she moves in. The girls have all reached puberty, and some of them are being sexually harassed by members of their community. Esperanza’s puberty began “officially” in the summer of that year when she became interested in males watching her dancing. Esperanza became more attentive to the women around her after two of her family members died. Esperanza feels uncomfortable when Sally, one of her closest friends, begins to act sexually. Esperanza has more discouraging experiences and is forced to move out of Mango Street.
Esperanza has been waiting for a while to finally leave Mango Street. Once she starts to feel that way, the girl realizes she has no choice but to help. She’ll return to help the people she cares about, even if she decides to leave. Esperanza’s emotional and physical development will be complete by the end the year. All of her actions are a reflection of her maturity. Her writing reflects her feelings about life and all the advantages of leaving. Writing can be both a way to escape emotionally and as a reflection on if she has taken a physical escape.
Cisneros’ writing skill demonstrates the power of community in many different aspects. The novel is only a year long, but it shows the value and power of community by highlighting the stigmatization of the negative, the bonding of the experiences, and the desire to return the favors of the good.
