Dennise's Vignette

There’s something about little kids that I love! Their innocent ways of cheering you up and how their little gesture can change your mood. I’ve always wanted a baby sister or brother, my mom always said I will soon enough, but that seemed like forever. I was always a little bit envious because most of my friends had siblings that were so adorable their little faces, tiny bodies and their smiles were to die for.  I wanted a baby to take care of. Until finally one day I came home and I got the big news! My aunt was going to have a baby girl! I was in 5th grade when I found out I was so exited, even though I would have loved my mom to be the one having the baby I was still happy because there was going to be a lovely little girl in my house. 

They say that nine months go by fast, but for me it seemed like forever! Everyday that passed seemed like weeks. I grew more and more anxious awaiting for the baby girl to finally come. Finally, summer vacation. I stayed home with my aunt everyday taking care of her. One day I was outside riding my bright pink bike the air was so fresh and the day was just beautiful. Suddenly my mom said it was time! I was ecstatic I wouldn’t stop jumping up and down. We rushed her to the hospital but they didn’t let me in I was frustrated because I didn’t know what was going on. Finally a couple of hours later they let me see that new baby girl, her name was Shania, she was so angelic, the cutest thing I’ve seen in my life. She was extremely lovely her rosy cheeks, beautiful curls and her shiny brown eyes captivated me, everything about her was perfect. I could wait to take her home so I could play with her, two days later we finally took her home I helped my aunt put on a beautiful  yellow dress on her and we went home.  

Taking care of her was the best thing ever I gave her the bottle I learned a lot about babies and the experience was amazing. I could do anything but change her diaper. I would always say “ewwww that’s disgusting” I just couldn’t do it. The months passed by so quickly before I knew it she was learning how to walk and beginning to talk a little bit. Shania is now five yeas old I love her but she drives me insane from time to time. She likes to listen to my conversations and say I have more than 100 boyfriends. 

Even though she can drive me crazy she’s nice too, her little ways of making me feel better always works. I love her above everything. 

The Writing Craft: Theme

While reading The House on Mango Street, we have noticed a major theme developed throughout the story. Maturity was one of many themes that caught our attention. It shows Esperanza's progress from childhood to adulthood.

The concept of being mature was expressed throughout the book, especially in the story, "The Family of Little Feet." Esperanza, Rachel, and Lucy received a pair of what seemed to be their very first pair of high heels. They were so excited when they got the shoes. When they placed them on their feet, instantly they felt older and more mature. Men were already glancing at them. "Your mother know you wear shoes like that?" Mr. Benny stated to them. The girls started to walk in them and they realized that they looked amazing in them. "Today we are Cinderella because our feet fit exactly." At that moment, the girls left the childhood state, and entered adulthood. Eventually, they took off the heels and hid them becasue they disliked the attention. That showed them all that they don't need shoes to define who they are.



Esperanza thought about what womanhood will bring, and what it would be like. But, she didn't truly understand that womanhood has it's responsibilities and problems. Esperanza always looks for role models who can help become more adult like, like Marin. Esperanza meets Marin and she immediately starts to like her. Not because of her personality, but because she does many adult things, like smoking. Marin also enjoys hanging around the boys and impressing them with her body. "What matters, Marin says is for the boys to see us and for us to see them." Esperanza wants boys to look at her and wants a boyfriend who can love her, just like Marin.

Another theme in The House on Mango Street is the concept of home. Esperanza desperately wants that home where she can feel safe and secure, but she never felt that in her life. Throughout the book, Esperanza looks elsewhere for  the love and security. In the beginning of the book, Esperanza wants a new house, one that isn't old and broken down. But, as the book goes on Esperanza soon realizes that the house is part of her and she learns that she should be herself no matter the circumstances.

-Chelsea and Sidney

Gina's Vignette

I basically stood there with an amazed look on my face as he passed by me. The way he walked, so confident and cute made me smile in a way that made me feel different inside. I realized then that I may have a little bit of a crush on him, I wasn't sure why, but I felt he was so attractive and just perfect.

During classes, I asked my two best friends if they knew him and luckily they did. His name fit his appearance and when I began to think about his name, I would just tingle inside.

I was headed to my math class when all of a sudden I felt a tug on my book bag, it was my friend who I loved dearly, but could be annoying at times. I begged him to get off, but he just wouldn't let go so I just went along with it. We walked a bit more and there he was walking closer towards me and my friend. Luckily, my friend went to chase another girl as the boy, who I had a crush on, walked closer and closer. I kept on walking, like any other student trying to get to class, when all of a sudden he smiles and says, "Hey." I smiled and walked by him. I had no idea why I didnt reply back, but it was too late because he was already headed up the stairs.

For the rest of the day I couldn't really keep my mind off him and a couple of times my day-dreams would be about him.

A few hours passed by and I was on my laptop when I finally came to realize that he messaged me. My mind went blank of all thoughts and I was concerned on him. I had no idea what to say, until it came to my mind, " Which is worse, keeping my love for someone a secret or telling them and risk being rejected?"

 I wasn't sure what to do next, but then I just told him I had a crush on him. Half an hour passed and when all hope was lost, a message popped up saying, "I like you too." My heart filled with joy and excitement. I felt so happy to find out that he liked me.

Ever since that day him and I have gotten close enough to know a lot about each other and he is better than I had imagined.

The House as a Trap

Throughout a few of the vignettes the house is reffered to as some sort of prison. There is always a sadness or depression behind the life they live at home. Their house of reality is much different from the house of their dreams.

Their actual houses are ugly, in need of repairs, it feels claustrophobic, it is crappy, old and not suitable to those who live under that roof. The many people who live in their discomfortable home have a dream house where eveything is just the way they want it to feel and look. Their dream houses are like different fantasies in which their lives are much easier and perfect.

Even though people think of her as fat and strange she misses her home like any person would. Mamasita is homesick even though she has her baby boy with her, she misses the rest of her family. She sits all day by the window singing sad songs from the spanish radio. The appartment she lives in is really old, ugly, and worn out, its nothing like what she imagined. She dreams her house being " ... a pink house, pink as hollyhocks with lots of startled light." The man who brought Mamasita and her son to this country wanted to please her by painting the house pink just like she imagined, but to her it doesn't feel the same. She was heartbroken when her little boy started to sing the Pepsi commercial, she didn't want her little boy to be attached to this new society she feels they don't belong in.

In the vignette "Rafaela Who Drinks Cocunut & Papaya Juice on Tuesdays" Rafaela is a young beautiful lady who is getting old. She leans out the window a lot because she gets locked indoors by her husband who thinks Rafaela will run away because she's too beautiful to look at, and because of this she's afraid of her husband. She leans out  the window on her elbow and dreams of her hair as Rapunzel's. She feels the need to escape out of the house in which to her may feel like a prison. At times Rafaela wishes she could go dance to the music in the bar before she gets old. Sometimes Rafaela is unnoticable unless she makes herself present. The same way Rapunzel lets down her golden hair, Rafaela lets down a clothesline carrying coconut and papaya drinks that she sent Esperanza and the girls to buy at the store. Rafaela wishes the drinks were, "...sweet, like the island, like the dance hall where women much older than her throw green eyes easily like dice and open homes with keys,"  instead of the drinks being, "... bitter like an empty room."

Sally is young and beautiful with shiny black hair. Her father says to be this beautiful is trouble, they are very strict in their religion they cant go out or dance. She used to be different she would always laugh with her friend, wear make-up and try and look pretty. Now she doesn't laugh she pulls her skirt straight and rubs the blue paint of her eye lids, she looks at her feet and walks to the house she want come out of. Sally is like Rafaela she's always locked in her house wishing to love and be free. But her parents don't allowe her to show her beauty.

In the vignette "Minerva Writes Poems" Minerva is very young only a little bit older than Esperanza but she already has two kids to look after and her husband who is no good at all. She cries all night and day and prays because she feels she's unlucky. After feeding her children and putting them to sleep she writes poetry in little pieces of paper and holds on to them for a long time. She has many problems but the biggest problem is her husband who keeps leaving her alone with their kids. He comes back but disapoints her and leaves again.

None of their houses are like they would have wanted or even imagined . These women, who dream of the best suitable conditions to live life in, have to live with their reality and find ways to improve what they have.

-Gina and Dennise

Chelsea's Vignette

Throughout the summer, I have been really thinking about this day. The day where I would be in this big world with just me and hundreds of other kids I barely knew. Walking into that school, for me was like getting on a thrill ride at a roller coaster. I was not looking forward to it. My parents are constantly telling me that its going to be okay, but I was just not feeling it.

All of my friends at the time were talking to me about how fun and exciting it was going to be, and how this was going to be a whole new chapter in their lives. I felt their excitement, but the nerves were getting  to me. After elementary school, I thought middle school was something to be stressing about,  but then I realized that it wasn't too bad after all. After seeing the movies on t.v, I hoped high school would be the same. The pressure really started to kick in. My heart started pumping faster and faster. I knew that day was coming sooner or later, so I had to suck it up and deal with it. 

I  soon realized that high school wasn't as bad as I thought, I later got in the hang of everything and everyone.

Sidney's Vignette

Why me? I asked myself. Why did I have to do it. I had second thoughts weather or not I should back down.  Weather or not I should be the wimp my cousins say I am. My heart was racing so fast you couldn't even imagine. I was incredibly petrified in the sight of  what I call "the monster." Hearing the other kids scream and close their eyes as tight as possible made me explode my emotions! But, I couldn't let myself down. I had to do it. I promised myself that one day I would have the courage to conquer my crazy fear and just go with it.

"Come on, it's not that bad," yelled my cousin Jellenah. I  hate to be yelled at, especially when I'm so nervous. My eyes were glued above as I'm almost in the front of the line. "Ok, stop yelling at me!" I screamed. It was supposed to be a fun day, I thought. As I walked towards the front of the line,  all I can do is think. What can happen if I get on? Will I get hurt?"  My legs were trembling as I got strapped in. My cousin was super excited while I was about to pass out! "How do you have a smile on your face right now?" I asked her with a grin on my face. "Because I'm not a punk like you!" Honestly, I just wanted to punch her, but it would get me in a lot of family drama. I was so high I could have touched the blazing sun. With my head pressed against the dirty handle bar, I yelled "Ahhhhhhhh!" I didn't care at the moment.  With my eyes closed and my head clear of thoughts, the ride was finally over.

-*Sidney Merine*

Darius and the Clouds-- Summary

 Darius was a young boy who had no respect for authorities, at all. Everyone around the neighborhood only saw him as a person who  had no feelings, except for hatred. He was the type of person who didn't care what other people thought of him. He was just a bad influence on people.

In the story "Darius and the Clouds," Darius acts differently from what he is used to. While doing his usual annoying habits; chasing girls with firecrackers, and running around with a stick that touched a rat, Darius noticed something that he never experienced before. While looking up at the sky, he said that he saw God. "You all see that cloud, that fat one there?" "That's God." Darius wasn't acting the same because it  looked like he had a heart and everyone around him has never seen him this way before. They only see him as the "bad boy" who gets away with anything. But, Darius has sweet moments in his life that some people can't understand.

*Chelsea Merine*

Summary--The First Job

In the story "The first Job," Esperanza felt she needed a job. She needed money to pay for her Catholic high school because it costs a lot of money. Esperanza thought she would find a simple job, one that wouldn't take a lot of work. She was looking for a job that most kids her age had. "I thought I'd find an easy job, the kind other kids had, working in the dime store or maybe a hot dog stand," said Esperanza. Esperanza's aunt found her a job at the Peter Pan Photo Finishers.

The first day on the Job, Esperanza had the need to look older. She put on a on a navy blue dress. Esperanza wanted to try and impress the  people at work because she was so young. "And borrowed money for lunch and bus fare" By having her own money, people wouldn't think of her as a child, although she is.

The first day on the job,  Esperanza was so afraid, she forgot to be confident in herself. She lacked her worth because she was afraid. She was afraid to ask questions. When she was unsure of something, she followed the crowd, rather than be sure of herself, and ask. She said, "when lunchtime came, I was scared to eat alone in the company lunchroom with all those men and ladies looking, so I ate real fast standing in one of the washroom stalls." Esperanza didn't know what to do at that situation, so she did what she thought was ok.

Esperanza tried as hard as she could not to stand out and have too much attention on her. She didn't want people to have their eyes on a child. But, that didn't stop other people from coming towards her. An older man came to her and immediately they started to connect. Suddenly, she didn't feel apprehensive anymore. Though, as time went on, the man completely  took advantage of poor Esperanza. He said to her it was his birthday and that he deserved a kiss. Esperanza thought she should kiss him, so just as she went for a kiss, he grabs her face and kissed her very hard. The man didn't let go.

 Esperanza was too young to understand that she shouldn't let anyone take advantage of her the way that man did. It was the first day on the job, so Esperanza needed someone to shake away her nerves. She didn't know it would be a man who doesn't really care for her.

-*Sidney Merine*

"Red balloon tied to an anchor"

In "The house on Mango Street," Esperanza feels as if she was a "red balloon tied to an anchor." In the story "Boys and Girls," Esperanza is talking about how no one understands her. No one gets the situation she struggles with, by moving around place to place and being a loner. She feels tied to an anchor because she doesn't have true friends that  truly understand her. She wants a best friend of her own who she can have fun with.

If we were in Esperanza's situation, we would  feel the exact same way Esperanza felt, lonesome and trapped in our own homes.We wouldn't feel we belonged because we are so lonely and fearful of not making friends, just like Esperanza. The weight on our shoulders of not having that true friend who loves us, would make us feel down and in pain.

-Chelsea, Sidney,Gina, Dennise

Team House

Hey, we are Team House! This is our name because we were assigned to cover the symbolic meaning of Esperanza's house in "The House On Mango Street" by Sandra Cisneros. We are looking at the relationship between Esperanza and her house on Mango Street in Chicago.

Houses represent many different things, especially for girls and women. Home should feel safe and secure.Many women feel comfort at home and love the peace that they feel. Most women take pride in their house. Most women try to find way to make their house look prettier based on the ideas presented in magazines. But for Esperanza, home is nothing like that. Her house does not feel like a home to her. Her house is old, crumbling down, and is nothing like she expected it to be like. She wanted a big house like the ones she would see in magazines with the wonderful stairs and beautiful lawn.  She does not feel safe in her neighborhood and her house isn't a place where she can feel comfort.

When you continue reading our blog, you will soon understand more of Esperanza's discomfort and how she reacts to it.

-Chelsea, Sidney, Gina, Dennise