Cluster 5

Elenita, Cards, Palm, Water (pp 62-64)

Questions

1. Who is Elenita? Witch woman Fortune teller tarot cards 2. What does Elenita tell Esperanza? Tells her fortune jealousy, sorrow, go to a wedding, lose an anchor of arms 3. What does Esperanza want to hear? What about a house thats what I came for Elenita replies yes, a home in the heart 4. What three things does Elenita consult? Bubbles in water Palm of Es hand Tarot cards

5.

What is the difference between a house and a home? House physical place to live Home emotional base someplace to feel safe and someplace one can point to proudly

6. Esperanza is again searching for a home. What does she learn in this chapter? What could a home in the heart symbolize? What is the difference between Esperanzas question and Elenitas answer? Learns she will have a home in her heart Home in the heart happiness coming from within contentment with oneself. Similar to the saying home is where the heart is. E is asking for a physical house; Elenita answers that E will have a home in the heart but doesnt understand the significance of what she says. When questioned, she says a new house made of heart.
Quotes Understand the significance of the following quotes

1. 2. 3.

My whole life on that kitchen table: past, present, future. Ah, yes, a home in the heart. I see a home in the heart. A new house, a house made of heart.

Geraldo No Last Name (pp. 65-66)

Questions 1. Where did Marin meet Geraldo? At a dance 2. Why doesnt Geraldo have a last name? Marin doesnt know him well enough to know his last name 3. Why does Geraldo die? What clues let you believe that his death was not inevitable? What actions and lines support Marins belief that Geraldo could have been saved? Dies from lack of medical care bled out Only an intern was available for care. Marin says if the surgeon had only come, supporting the idea that if better medical care was available, Geraldo might have lived.

Quotes Understand the significance of the following quotes

1.

Only Marin cant explain why it mattered, the hours and hours, for somebody she didnt even know. 2. His name was Geraldo. And his home was in another country. The ones he left behind are far away, will wonder, shrug, remember. Themes

1.

This chapter is another example of social criticism. The repetition of the questions reinforces the idea that Geraldo didnt matter to the society in which he lived. What were the questions? How did the questioning of the police imply that Geraldo brought the accident on himself? The questions address, name, whats in his pocket? The questioning implies that because there is no identification or address for this person, it is just a shame. They diminish him as a person to just basic information, without thinking about who he was as a person. Marin says, just a wetback another person not speaking English insinuates that he automatically would be considered unimportant. 2. Why does Esperanza talk about Geraldos home? She personalizes him his life is in another country he has left family behind, people he works for and sends money to. People there will wonder what happened to Geraldo. Sad that they will never know.

Ednas Ruthie (pp. 67-69)

Questions 1. Who is Ruthie? Who is Edna? Ruthie tall, skinny lady with red lipstick and blue babushka (scarf), two different-colored socks, plays = not quite right Edna her mom, landlord kicks people out cant throw Ruthie out because shes her daughter 2. What does Esperanza say about Ruthie? What doesnt she understand about Ruthie? Whistles beautifully Doesnt go into stores would feel trapped Likes candy Sees lovely things everywhere finding joy in everyday things theme E doesnt understand why Ruthie chooses to live on Mango Street when she has a house, husband and life elsewhere.

3. How are Ruthie and Esperanza alike? Both find joy in everyday occurrences Ruthie sees lovely things everywhere, and E sees happiness in the sky, butterflies, flowers and other beautiful things. 4. What does Esperanza say about Ruthie without saying it? That there is something wrong with Ruthie perhaps she had a nervous breakdown? Themes

1.

Esperanza tells the reader that There were many things Ruthie could have been if she wanted to. How is what happened to her a warning against wasting potential? Ruthie had many job offers when she was young but took none; instead, she married and moved to the suburbs. Whatever happened there damaged Ruthie. She tells E that she used to write childrens books but now cant read without her eyes hurting. She has not realized her potential. 2. Ruthie had a house of her own. Why does she leave it? What lesson should Esperanza learn about life from Ruthies choices?

Ruthie has left because of a breakdown or because her husband has tossed her out. She says he is going to come get her, but he never does. Ruthies seemingly safe choice to marry and move to the suburbs didnt work out for Ruthie, so she is living proof of what seems like should be a perfect life.

The Earl of Tennessee (pp 70-71)

Questions 1. Who is Earl? Where does he live? Earl lives next door to E in Ednas basement. His apartment is moldy smelling, damp, and filled with old records. He has two small, energetic, black dogs that accompany him everywhere. He has a wife who visits infrequently. 2. What is Earls job? A jukebox repairman who works nights. Style 1. What words does Esperanza use to compare Earl to a cockroach? She talks about sitting on flowerboxes until a cockroach came out. Now they sit on the steps that wrap around Earls basement apartment. He comes out at night and only occasionally during the day, like a cockroach. 2. How does Earls lifestyle compare to the family lifestyle of Mango Street? Earl has a nocturnal life; he sleeps during the day and goes out at night to work. His apartment is dark, moldy and damp. The rest of the families are lively during the day. His life is in direct contrast to those of most inhabitants of Mango Street.

3.

What is the role of setting in this chapter? How is Earl like his setting? E tells of a basement apartment with blinds that are shut all day, just like Earls eyes during the day. The basement apartment that she describes seems like someplace where things are slowly rotting damp, moldy, dark.

4. What does Esperanzas simile that the dogs Leap and somersault like an apostrophe and comma reveal about her (71)? Print/words are full of life for E.

Sire (pp. 72-73)

Questions 1. Why is Esperanza afraid of Sire? What do her parents say about him? Sire stares at her, with his dusty cat fur eyes. Her parents say hes a punk and to stay away from him. 2. Who is Sires girlfriend? Why is Esperanza curious about what she does with Sire? Lois is tiny and pretty but mentally challenged cant tie her shoes. E is curious because she is an adolescent and is wondering about relationships with boys. 3. Why does her curiosity about Sire make her feel as if everything is holding its breath inside me? She is both attracted and repelled by Sire. Her desire to have a relationship is growing, and there is no outlet. She thinks and thinks about it but is not experiencing it.

Quotes Understand the significance of these quotes.

1.

Everything is holding its breath inside me. Everything is waiting to explode like Christmas. I want to be all new and shiny. I want to sit out bad at night, a boy around my neck and the wind under my skirt. 2. Not this way, every evening talking to the trees, leaning out my window, imagining what I cant see.

Four Skinny Trees (pp. 74-76)

Questions 1. In what ways does Esperanza identify with the four skinny trees? They are undernourished, like she feels she is. She is not getting what she wants on Mango Street. They, like her, are rooted there, but both reach for the sky, their dreams. They, like her, do not forget to reach, or dream. They have each for support, just like E has her friends and family. 2. What does Esperanza learn from the trees? That even though they are frail, they are persistently growing and reaching toward the sky. Quotes - Understand the significance of these quotes.

1. 2.

Four raggedy excuses planted by the city. Their strength is secret. They send ferocious roots beneath the ground. They grow up and grow down and grab the earth between their hairy toes and bite the sky with violent teeth and never quit their anger. This is how they keep. 3. Let one forget his reason for being, theyd all droop like tulips in a glass, each with their arms around the other. 4. When I am too sad and too skinny to keep keeping, when I am a tiny thing against so many bricks, then it is I look at trees. 5. Four who reach and do not forget to reach. 6. Four whose only reason is to be and be. Themes The theme of finding beauty in everyday things is continued in this chapter. What beauty does Esperanza find in the trees? What do the trees teach her? What is the irony in what the trees teach her? Beauty their strength, violence and anger E admires all of these characteristics Teach her to persistently reach for her dreams, regardless of adversity Ironic that the trees are stuck on Mango Street, and she longs to leave.

Figurative Language/Word Choice/Style 1. How does the description of the trees correspond with Esperanzas description of herself? Skinny necks, pointy elbows; four who do not belong here but are here; bite the sky with violent teeth and never quit their anger 2. How do these words used to describe the trees create the sense of tenacity that is an essential part of Esperanzas life? Trees are frail seeming but extremely strong and persistent.

Cluster 6
No Speak English (pp. 76-78)
Questions 1. What English phrases does Mamacita know? He is not here (for the landlord) No speak English Holy smokes 2. Why doesnt Mamacita leave the apartment? Too fat or too many stairs; E thinks it is because she doesnt speak English 3. Where is home to Mamacita? A Spanish-speaking country - Mexico a pink house 4. What broke Mamacitas heart? When her son started picking up and speaking English from the TV Quotes - Understand the significance of these quotes

1.
light.

Home is a house in a photograph, a pink house, pink as hollyhocks with lots of startled We are home. This is home. Here I am and here I stay. Speak English. No speak English, she says to the child who is singing in the language that sounds like

2. 3.
tin. Themes

1.

This chapter continues the theme of home. Mamacita seems to be physically tied to her home in Mexico. She is not happy in the apartment in America. How is this the opposite of the American Dream? American Dream people yearn to come here to improve their lives. She does not want to be in the US 2. How is this chapter also a continuation of the theme of masculine and feminine roles? The man works and makes the decision that she and the baby have to come to the US. He demands that she change and start speaking English. She doesnt seem to have any say in the matter.

Rafaela Who Drinks Coconut & Papaya Juice on Tuesdays (pp. 79-80)
Questions 1. Why is Rafaela growing old? Because she is looking out the window so much looking out for something different and not getting it the unhappiness ages her. She is not allowed to go out and have fun. 2. Why does her husband lock her in the apartment? He worries that she will run away because she is so beautiful. 3. Who is Rapunzel? Why would Rafaela wish that she had hair like Rapunzel? Rapunzel is a princess in a fairy tale who is locked in a tall tower by her father. She grows her hair long and when a prince comes, she lowers her hair down to him, and he climbs up her hair to be with her.
Figurative Language/Word Choice/Style

1. What fairytale words and allusions are used in this chapter? What effect do fairytales seem to have on women?

Rafaela is locked in her room like Rapunzel. Like Rapunzel lowering her hair for her forbidden prince, Rafaela lowers the bag to get what she wants forbidden sweet drinks from down the street

2. What message do you think fairytales send? Why? Hope winning over adversity Rapunzel overcomes adversity, most fairy tale heroes/heroines do

Sally (pp. 81-83)

Questions 1. Who is Sally? A beautiful girl in Es neighborhood with long straight black hair like a shawl Because she is so beautiful, people expect her to be bad. Her friend called her a bad name, and now they arent friends anymore. Boys tell stories about her. 2.

What is Sallys relationship with her father? He is very strict and doesnt allow dancing or makeup. He is afraid she will be like his sisters.

3. How does Sally change when it is time to go home? She is subdued and straightens her skirt and rubs makeup off her face. She doesnt laugh and looks at her feet as she walks toward the house she cant come out from. 4. According to Esperanza, what does Sally want? To be far away from Mango Street, where she could sleep and wake up and never have to think who likes and doesnt like her. Be somewhere where no one is waiting for her to make a mistake. Somewhere it would be okay to love and love and love. Quotes - Understand the significance of these quotes.

1.

Her father says to be this beautiful is trouble. 2. Eyes like Egypt and nylons the color of smoke (81) 3. without the whole world waiting for you to make a mistake when all you wanted, all you wanted, Sally, was to love and to love and to love and to love, and no one could call that crazy. Themes

1.

How does Esperanza feel similar to Sally? Neither belongs on Mango Street; both want to be somewhere where they can follow their dreams and have no one judging them or watching them.

2. What lesson does Esperanza learn from Sally? She learns that the mistake Sally made will be judged very harshly. Discussion Sally has been told all her life that she is bad, that something is wrong with her. How does this impact her behavior? Do you think that people cant escape their childhoods? Do you think that people cant escape the perceptions people have of them? Are people judged by their looks? She is expected to be bad, so people watch her and her father keeps her sequestered at home. This makes her sad and lonely. Answers will vary.

Minerva Writes Poems (pp. 84-85)

Questions

1.

Why is Minerva always sad like a house on firealways something wrong? Her life is terrible. She has an abusive husband who repeatedly comes home and leaves. Why does Esperanza say, There is nothing I can do? E cant make decisions for her friend. Only her friend can decide to do something different.

2.

3. What words does Esperanza use to describe Minervas poems? What value is placed on Minervas poems? she writes poems on little pieces of paper and folds them over and over and holds them a long time they smell like dimes sweat and dirt they are valuable to her because she holds them tightly. E would see them as valuable perhaps would be Minervas dreams

Bums in the Attic (pp. 86-87)

Questions 1. What is Esperanzas fathers job? landscaper 2. Why doesnt Esperanza go with her family on their Sunday outings? Esperanza says, I am tired of looking at what we cant have. She is ashamed to be seen coveting the big houses; looking at what she cant have makes her unhappy. 3. What does Esperanza dream of? She wants a house on a hill like the ones where her father works 4. What will she keep in her attic? Why? She will let bums come and stay in her attic. They can be up there, in a house, close to the sky, close to their dreams. Quotes - Understand the significance of these quotes.

1. One day Ill own my own house, but I wont forget who I am or where I came from. 2. Bums, Ill say, and Ill be happy.
Themes 1. This chapter is a social commentary on class separation. What metaphor is used to represent the separation between the rich and the poor? A hill, with the rich on the top and the poor at the bottom People who live on hills sleep so close to the stars they forget those of us who live too much on the earth. 2. What does the idea that she will have bums in her attic show about Esperanza? How do you think that people will react to this? E is charitable and generous. Most people would be horrified to see her having bums living in the attic.

Beautiful & Cruel (pp. 89-90)

Questions 1. How does Esperanza describe herself? Ugly daughter Dusty hair Blouse that wont stay clean

2.

Esperanza says she began [her] own quiet war. With what is she at war? She is at war with what is expected of her to be a subservient woman

3. What does Esperanza decide about growing up? She will not grow up tame, lying down to have the ball and chain put around her neck. Quotes

1. I am an ugly daughter. I am the one nobody comes for. 2. My mother says when I get older my dusty hair will settle and my blouse will learn to stay 3.
clean, but I have decided not to grow up tame like the others who lay their neck on the threshold waiting for the ball and chain. She is the one who drives the men crazy and laughs them all away. Her power is her own. She will not give it away.

Themes This chapter discusses the themes of power and challenging societys expectations. What textual support is there to support these two themes? Having power and not giving it away I am the one who leaves the table like a man, without putting back the chair or picking up the plate.

A Smart Cookie (pp. 90-91)

Questions

1.
2.

What does Esperanzas mother say about her life? She could have been somebody. What skills does Esperanzas mother have? What does she lack? Speak two languages Sing an opera Fix a TV Draws, sews

3. Why did her mother quit school? Because she didnt have nice clothes she was ashamed

4. Does she still believe she was a smart cookie? No, she thinks she made a stupid mistake she thought she was a smart cookie

Quotes - Understand the significance of these quotes

1. 2.

Shame is a bad thing, you know. It keeps you down. I was a smart cookie then.

Themes Mama tells Esperanza to stay in school so that she never has to depend on a man. Which themes of the novel does this continue? What lines support the themes? Theme of pursuing education to achieve your dreams E, you go to school. Study hard. Theme of persevering through adversity Shame is a bad thing, you know. It keeps you down. Theme of challenging what is expected for women Look at my comadres. She means Izaura whose husband left and Yolanda whose husband is dead.

Figurative Language/Word Choice/Style 1. What words does Esperanza use to describe her mothers talents? draws with a needle and thread sing an opera knows how to fix a T.V. can speak two languages 2. How do these words create a sense of the range of her mothers talents? She can do almost anything smart and able 3. How does the description of shame contrast with the description of her mothers talents? Shame bad thing keeps you down. Bluntly described as compared with the poetic way her mothers talents are described.

What Sally Said (pp.92-93)

Questions 1. What does Sally say about her father? Does anyone believe it? She says the bruises and scars come from falling down. No one believes her. 2. What does her father fear? That Sally will run away, like his sisters, and shame him. 3. Did the situation ever change? No. It seemed to change until her father saw her talking to a boy and then beat her with a belt, so she couldnt come to school. Quotes - Understand the significance of these quotes

1. He never hits me hard. 2. But Sally doesnt tell about that time he hit her with his hands just like a dog, she said, like
if I was an animal.

3. Just because I am a daughter, and then she doesnt say. 4. Youre not my daughter, youre not my daughter. And then he broke into his hands.
Themes A major theme is continued in this disturbing chapter. The abuser in this chapter is Sallys father rather than her husband but she behaves the same way that the other abused women have. Discuss the irony of the fathers behavior in this chapter. The irony is that he beats her and then says it wont happen again, over and over. Also, he beats her and then cries. An additional theme is present. Sally is punished harshly for talking to boys. What is a double standard? How does it relate to the roles of women in this novel? How does it relate to Sallys life? Double standard = okay for boys to do something but not okay for girls to do the same thing o In this novel, women arent allowed to do much. The men make decisions for their wives. Girls and women are expected to be subservient. o Sally is seen as similar to her fathers sisters. She covers up and lies for her fathers cruelty.

The Monkey Garden(pp. 94-98)

Questions 1. How does the Monkey Garden change? From being a prolific garden filled with beautiful flowers, exotic weeds, apple trees, spiders, worms, beetles filled with all kinds of life to a lot filled with dead cars. It becomes a place where things disappear Nenny finds a dollar and a dead mouse, and a boy falls asleep there like Rip Van Winkle 2. What does Sally do that makes Esperanza angry? She agrees to kiss the boys to get her keys back. 3. How did Esperanza try to help Sally? What happened when Esperanza tried to help her? E gets three big sticks and a brick to help Sally, but she and the boys tell her to go home. They look at her like shes crazy. 4. Why does Esperanza feel that the garden is no longer a good place to play?

Because Sally has tainted it with her actions. It was a fun place to run and imagine, but she has allowed herself to be taken advantage of. E is deeply saddened and despondent, wishing her heart would stop and she would be dead.

Quotes - Understand the significance of these quotes

1. Things had a way of disappearing in the garden, as if the garden itself ate them, or, as if 2. 3. 4. 5.
Style with its old-man memory, it put them away and forgot them. It was a joke I didnt get. They all looked at me as if I was the one that was crazy and made me feel ashamed. I looked at my feet in their white socks and ugly round shoes. They seemed far away. The didnt seem to be my feet anymore. And the garden that had been such a good place to play didnt seem mine either.

1.

Describe the garden in this chapter. To what other garden in literature does this garden allude? This is like the Garden of Eden full of all kinds of life plants, animals

2.

What lines in this chapter create the sense of embarrassment that Esperanza feels? What images are used to reinforce this idea? Who else is embarrassed in a garden? I felt stupid with my brick. They all looked at me as if I was the one that was crazy and made me feel ashamed. Eve is embarrassed when she realizes she is naked; her realization comes after she eats of the forbidden fruit

Cluster 7
Red Clowns (pp. 99-100)
Questions 1. What does Esperanza say that Sally lied about? Sally lied about what being touched by boys was like. E expected it to be like storybooks and movies, but it wasnt. 2.

What happened to Esperanza at the Carnival? Sally went off with a boy, and E waited and waited for her. Another boy came and accosted her - he gabbed her arm and wouldnt let her go. She wanted Sally to make him stop. E cried. She doesnt want to tell what happened.

3.

What illusions of Esperanzas were shattered in this chapter? From where did she get these illusions? (see quotes) She thought it would be like the movies, magazines, and books, like Sally, throwing her head back and laughing.

Quotes Understand the significance of the following quotes

1.

Why did you leave me all alone? I waited my whole life. Youre a liar. They all lied. All the books and magazines, everything that told it wrong. 2. The moon that watched. The red clowns laughing their thick-tongue laugh. Themes

1.

Where do you see evidence of male domination of women? Boys looking at Sally because she is pretty (not because she is nice, funny, smart, etc.) The boy who grabbed E wouldnt let her go when asked. E couldnt make the boys go away.

2. How is racial prejudice part of this chapter? The boy obviously thought he could force himself on E, repeatedly saying I love you, Spanish girl.

Linoleum Roses (pp. 101-102)

Questions 1. Why did Sally say she got married? How old was she when she married? She says she is in love. Before eighth grade (younger than 14) 2. Why does Esperanza believe that Sally got married? To escape 3. How does her husband treat her? Gives her money sometimes to buy things Sometimes gets angry (once he broke the door where his foot went through), but most days he is okay Doesnt let her talk on the telephone Doesnt let her look out the window (dream?) Doesnt like her friends

Quotes - Understand the significance of the following quotes

1. 2. 3.

She says she is in love, but I think she did it to escape. She sits at home because she is afraid to go outside without his permission. She likes looking at the walls, at how neatly their corners meet, the linoleum roses on the floor, the ceiling smooth as a wedding cake. Themes How is Sally an example of a woman waiting by the window? How does this chapter continue that theme? Sally has dreams of a life better than what she had on Mango Street. She now has a life off Mango Street but has traded one captor (her father) for another (her husband). Her husband doesnt allow her to look out the window (she can no longer dream of a better life).
Figurative Language/Word Choice/Style

1. Discuss the irony of Sallys marriage. She now has a life off Mango Street but has traded one captor (her father) for another (her husband). 2. How is her apartment like a prison? What elements of girlhood are present in this chapter? What is ironic about the girlhood dreams? Like prison afraid to go out without her husbands permission, cant see her friends, cant talk on phone Talking on phone, marrying marshmallow salesman (childhood sweet: fluff but no substance), seeing her friends, gazing out the window She seems to have achieved her girlhood dreams but her life is much the same

The Three Sisters (pp. 103-105)

Questions 1. When did Esperanza meet the three sisters? In August

2.

What omens foreshadow the death of the baby? How are the omens significant? One night a dog cried The next day, a yellow bird flew in through the window Significance Yellow bird canary canaries were used by miners as a warning for bad air too much CO2 harbinger of potential death yellow birds symbols of heightened sensitivity

3. What words are used to describe the sisters? What words contribute to the sense of their power? they smiled and waved in their smoky way. (105) They had the power and could sense what was what. One with laughter like tin, one with eyes of a cat, and one with hands like porcelain sounds magical They had the power and could sense what was what knew E was nervous One predicts that it will rain the next day They smelled like cinnamon and waved in a smoky way like a haze

4. What future do the three sisters predict for Esperanza? Cat-eye one says E will be special; she can tell by looking at her palms shell go far They grant her a wish and say it will come true Porcelain (marble-handed like classical statue) one says that after E leaves, she must come back for the others. A circle. She tells E she cant erase what you know, you cant forget who you are. What do they say that Esperanza must do to complete the circle? After she leaves, she must come back for the others; encourage others to dream and go for their dreams. Remember where she came from; dont forget who you are and what you know. When you leave, you must remember to come back for the others. A circle, understand? You will always be Esperanza. You will always be Mango Street. You cant erase what you know. You cant forget who you are. 5.

You must remember to come back. For the ones who cannot leave as easily as you. Themes In this chapter, several elements of superstition and cultural mysticism are present. What are the elements? How do these elements tie into the themes of the novel? Superstitions surrounding the babys death Characteristics of three sisters; their fortune telling and predicting of Es future like the Three Fates (mythology) These sisters encourage E by telling her that her dream/wish will come true but that she must come back and help others who arent as strong as she is Again, Esperanza wishes for a house of her own. While she learns that her dream will come true, she is also given a new responsibility. What is this responsibility? How does this tie into the themes of the novel? New responsibility come back and help others who arent as strong to dream and go for their dreams.

Alicia & I Talking on Ednas Steps (pp. 106-107)

Questions 1. Why does Esperanza like Alicia? Because Alicia gave her a little leather purse with the word GUADALAJARA stitched on it home for Alicia would seem like a special gift for E something associated with home

2.

Explain why Esperanza says the following: No, this isnt my house I say and shake my head as if shaking could undo the year Ive lived here. I dont belong. I dont ever want to come from here. E is ashamed of her home and Mango Street. Doesnt want to be associated with it at all. Isnt proud of where she comes from. 3. What will make Mango Street better? Who will make it better? E makes Mango Street better through her tales about her life. She comes back to Mango Street after she leaves through her writing. Themes 1. In this chapter, Esperanza learns that she cannot deny her heritage. She also is reminded that she will be coming back to Mango Street. How do these ideas tie into the themes of belonging, heritage, and home?

You are where and what you come from. You can move away from family and home, but you carry both within you. Even though E hates where she lives and wants only to leave, she eventually has appreciation for where she came from.

2.

Alicia says something very similar to what the three sisters said. What does she say? What did the sisters say? How does Esperanza respond to both of them? Like it or not you are Mango Street, and one day youll come back. E will come back of her own volition. The sisters tell E that she must come back.

A House of My Own (p. 108)

Questions 1. How does Esperanza describe her house? What does this say about her? All her own Nobody to shake a stick at or pick up after Has her books and her stories the things she finds precious Only a house quiet as snow, a space for myself to go, clean as paper before the poem. Themes 1. One major theme in this book is that WRITING can provide an escape or a way out. 2. Much of what Esperanza expresses as her dream of a house is a reaction to what she sees as unfairness in the gender roles. What lines support that statement? How is this a part of the quiet war Esperanza is fighting? Nobody to shake a stick at refers to the boys who Sally had to kiss to get her keys back No one to pick up after the stereotypic role for women picking up after the men Style 1. What words does Esperanza use to describe her house? What significance is it that she begins by describing what it will not be? Quiet as snow, space to go, clean as paper before the poem peaceful, refuge, anything can happen here It will not be someplace where she will feel threatened or where stereotypes of women will be played out

2. What lines in this chapter read like poetry? What does this contribute to the chapter? The last line Only a house quiet as snow, a space for myself to go, clean as paper before the poem. Contributes by ending on a positive note. There are a lot of negatively phrases in the first paragraph what the house is not. The end is what it will be strong images.

Mango Says Goodbye Sometimes (pp. 109-110)

Questions 1. What does Esperanza do to help her cope? She tells stories in her head all the time. 2. What are her plans? She will pack her bags of books and paper and will say goodbye to Mango Street she will go away. 3. How does the ending of the novel complete a circle?

E will leave but she will come back by going away on her terms, she can come back, again on her terms.

4. What does she mean when she says Ive gone away to come back? By leaving and following her dream, she is free to choose to come back for those who cannot leave on their own. Quotes Understand the significance of the following quotes

1. 2. 3. 4.

I like to tell stories. I am going to tell you a story about a girl who didnt want to belong. Where did she go with all those books and paper? Why did she march so far away? The house I belong to but do not belong to (110) . They will not know I have gone away to come back. For the ones I left behind. For the ones who cannot out.