A Critical review of The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros

Authors

  • Kaushal Sharma Assistant prof., Applied Science, Bharati Vidyapeeth’s College of Engineering, Paschim Vihar, Delhi, 110063 https://orcid.org/0009-0001-9182-5563

Keywords:

Hispanic, Chicana, Patriarchy, Self-exploration, Bilingualism, Marginalized, Vignettes

Abstract

Aim: In a coming-of-age Hispanic narrative 'The House on Mango Street' Sandra Cisneros portraits a young girl of twelve ‘Esperanza Cordero’, grappling with issues like universal theme of self-exploration and the search for empowerment. Her awakening to realities of the women folk around affirms her conviction to be free from patriarchy and to establish a place full of hope against adversity.

Methodology and Approaches: Sandra Cisneros's “The House on Mango Street” can be analysed from various thematic perspective. Discovery for self, Gender roles, cultural and ethnic identity shape the characters. Recurring symbols and images such as houses, names, colours, shoes and trees convey themes related to identity, dreams, and the search for home.

Outcomes: Bilingualism and the use of Spanish explore how language contributes to the cultural authenticity in narrative and influences the characters' communication. In the beginning protagonist, Esperanza dislikes her house on Mango Street but at the end she recognizes her roots and heritage. Thus, personal growth, self-realization and resolution for community are the outcomes.

Conclusion: Triumph of female characters by taking liberty with the help of some agencies for self-expression against all oddities in a Hispanic patriarchal society makes the novel appealing. Complexities of assimilation, impact of social expectations on individuals within a specific cultural context, socioeconomic analysis, and fragmented episodes depict Esperanza’s evolution for self. Thus, structure and form contribute in conveying overall meaning of the novel.

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Author Biography

Kaushal Sharma, Assistant prof., Applied Science, Bharati Vidyapeeth’s College of Engineering, Paschim Vihar, Delhi, 110063

Dr. Kaushal Sharma has completed M.A in English Literature. She did M.Phil. from University of Delhi. Her Ph.D. title is ‘Narrative Technique in the Novels of Raja Rao’. She has taught in University of Delhi for fifteen years to graduate students of Honors and Pass streams including B.A. B. Com and B.Sc. She joined Bharati Vidyapeeth’s College of Engineering (affiliated to GGSIPU and AICTE) in 2021 as a Permanent Assistant Prof in the Applied Science department. Her areas of interest; Indian English Literature, Novels, Literature of Romantic Period, Post-Colonial Literature and Business Communication.

 

 Vol. 4 No. 1 (2024): Winter Edition 2024 The SPL Journal of Literary Hermeneutics: A Biannual International Journal of Independent Critical Thinking

Published

28.01.2023

How to Cite

1.
Kaushal Sharma. A Critical review of The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros. SPL J. Literary Hermeneutics: Biannu. Int. J. Indep. Crit. Think [Internet]. 2023 Jan. 28 [cited 2024 Dec. 21];4(1):109-16. Available from: https://literaryherm.org/index.php/ojs/article/view/133