The House on Mango Street was written by Sandra Cisneros in 1984. The book is a collection of short stories that have no beginning and no end. It is as if a door is opened for the reader for a brief moment, one or two pages are given a glimpse of the life of a particular character. Then the window to the plot is abruptly closed, and they learn nothing more about the characters with their joys and sorrows. The story is told on behalf of Esperanza, who is ashamed of her neighborhood, where they live with their large family. In the book, the theme of gender inequality and the unwillingness to live like the women of the neighborhood-under the control of men, is expressed through the thoughts and narrative of the main character, the girl Esperanza.
Esperanza and her family live in a poor neighborhood for immigrants. They live in an old crooked house, surrounded by bad neighbors, and impenetrable poverty. “Bricks are crumbling in places, and the front door is so swollen you have to push hard to get in” (Cisneros 1984, p. 4). Esperanza wants to get out of this poverty, from the musty neighborhood and the mentality that her father imposes on her, believing that marriage is better for a girl than any education.
Esperanza grew up in a family where “we” is more important than “I”, and separating herself from her family and society seemed to her a very important, right step. Not out of dislike, but in order not to repeat the fate of my mother, who sang beautifully and always dreamed of more. For example, to get married, give birth, go to another, not too friendly country, but the dream is broken about everyday life.
Like her other neighbors who are locked up by abusive husbands, beaten, depressed, and turned into elderly women before their time. “A new house, house made of the heart” (Cisneros 1984, p. 64). Her own home symbolizes freedom for Esperanza, a symbol of an independent life in which no one dares to interfere. “A house all my own. With my porch and my pillow, my pretty purple petunias… A space for myself to go” (Cisneros 1984, p. 108). The book’s ending may seem somewhat upbeat after describing the life of Mango Street. It looks pretty in line with the “American dream”: everything will be fine, but it is needed to work hard and remember the roots.
The problem that concerns the writer is the disenfranchisement of women who lived, as the book’s main character, in this impoverished area, accustomed from childhood to physical, mental, and sexual violence. Furthermore, it is shown through deprived of prospects, personal freedom, access to education, locked in the cages of everyday life, lack of money, family troubles, and patriarchal conventions. Most people agree it is important for women to have the same rights as men (Horowitz & Fetterolf). Esperanza does not want such a life for herself in the future, so she tries very hard to become a writer to earn her own house in which she can hide from everything.
In conclusion, this book reveals the many problems of society that still exist today. Very vividly in this book describes the abuse of men with women, in general, the negative attitude of men to the weaker sex. Therefore, this book can be recommended for reading, as it makes you think, especially women, about whether they live as happily and safely as they would like.
References
Cisneros, Sandra. The House on Mango Street. A Division of Random House, 1984.
Horowitz, Juliana & Fetterolf, Janell. “Worldwide Optimism About Future of Gender Equality, Even as Many See Advantages for Men.”Pew Research Center, 2020. Web.