The House on Mango Street Group

Question:

lol1234
lol1234
Student
High School - 9th Grade

What was the author's purpose and main theme regarding The House on Mango Street?  Explain. 

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Posted by lol1234 on Tuesday November 10, 2009 at 5:19 PM and tagged with purpose, the house on mango street, theme.

Answers:


  1. akannan Teacher
    Middle School

    eNotes Editor

    Cisernero's work centers on the coming of age in the life of the protagonist, Esperanza.  The main theme of the work is the idea of maturation and emotional development. Told in a series of vignettes which help to build the bildungsroman notion in the work, much of what is explored is the idea of being born in both Hispanic and American settings.  Given the idea of the emerging identity of being a woman coupled with the discussion of racial identity, one begins to see several complex themes develop throughout the course of the work.  Along these lines, the primary purpose presented helps to bring forth the idea of representation in literature is a critical element.  Cisneros' work helps to bring light to silenced voices in the discourse, helping to reduce the crisis of representation in the literature genre.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/house-on-mango-street
    http://www.enotes.com/house-on-mango-street/themes

    Rate answer:

    Posted by akannan on Tuesday November 10, 2009 at 6:11 PM