The House on Mango Street Questions

1. Is the house on Mango Street the kind of house Esperanza always wanted? What kind of house does she want? Explain.
   
2. Describe Esperanza's neighborhood. Would you like to live there? Explain.
   
3. In "Those Who Don't," Esperanza says of her neighborhood, "All brown all around, we are safe." What does she mean? How does she feel about going into a neighborhood of another color?
   
4. Esperanza introduces the reader to many different characters on Mango Street. Do they have any common bonds? If yes, what are they? If no, why not?
   
5. Why are the Four Skinny Trees important to Esperanza?
   
6. In "Beautiful and Cruel" Esperanza says, "I have begun my own quiet war." What does she mean?
   
7. Of the three sisters, what did the sister with the marble hands mean when she told Esperanza that she (Esperanza) must remember to come back for the others? What does the circle refer to?
   
8. Throughout the story, Esperanza clings to her desire to leave Mango Street. Keeping her character in mind, do you think that one day she will leave? Explain.
   
9. Describe Esperanza. Do you believe her to be a keen observer of her world? Explain, using examples from the story.
   
10. In English, "Esperanza" means Hope. Does Esperanza's name fit her character? Explain.
    
11. This book has a distinct narrative structure. What effect did this structure have on you? Did it enhance or detract from the book? Explain.
    

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Excerpted from English Teacher's Great Books Activities Kit.