Answers discussed in class are in bold

The House on Mango Street Study Guide for theFinal Test

Part I:

Be familiar with the following, which will be in true or false form. (16 points)

How does Esperanza feel about her name, and why does she feel this way?

  • She does not like it. She wants a pretty name.

What is Esperanza’s first job?

  • Working at a photo place.

How does Esperanza feel after mocking Aunt Lupe?

  • She feels terrible, like she was “born bad”

Does Sandra Cisneros write in traditional grammatical format?

  • No she does not. She has a minimalist style.

Part II: (36 points) Short Answer Questions. Using complete sentences, you will answer questions about these topics, using specific details from the story.

Explain to whom the book is dedicated.

  • “To the Women”

Name and describe the members of Esperanza’s immediate family.

  • Mama, Papa, Carlos, Kiki, Esperanza and Nenny

Think about Esperanza’s connection to or relationship with her brothers in The House on Mango Street. Give one reason to explain your conclusions. Hint: Consider the vignette “Boys and Girls.”

  • They live in two different worlds. The boys will talk to the girls in the house, however once they leave the house, they will not associate with them.

Esperanza experiences many emotions as she tells her stories in The House on Mango Street. Give an example for each emotion listed below.

  • GUILT – When does Esperanza feel and show guilt?

Think of Aunt Lupe

  • CURIOSITY- When does Esperanza feel curious? Give an example to show her curiosity.

Think of “the Family of little feet”, and “Elenita, Cards, Palm and Water”, “Rice Sandwich”.

Give an example from the book to prove the following statements true.

Adolescence is a period of confusion.

  • Think of “Sire”, “Born Bad”

Growing up female is difficult.

  • Think of “Hips”

How is a home different from a house?

Part III: Short Essay. (33 points) You will be required to write one (or more) well-supported paragraph(s) in response to one of the following prompts:

  • Each individual vignette is short and often simple, but the impact of all of them together is very powerful. Prove this statement to be true.
  • The character I’ll most remember from The House on Mango Street is _____. Explain your answer.
  • Explain how one of the main themes in the novel is belonging or fitting in.

Part IV: Quotes. (15 points) You will choose three of the quotes below and tell what each means.

“Stairs inside like the houses on T.V.” (page 4)

~they are elegant

“Hair that smells like bread.” (page 7)

~a warm comforting smell

“I am a red balloon, a balloon tied to an anchor” (page 9)

~being held back (by her sister and Mango Street)

“Laughing the crooked ride back.” (page 16)

~bumpy, erratic, uneven bike ride back

“The nose of that yellow Cadillac was all pleated like an alligator’s.” (page 25)

~it was all squished in toward the windshield from the accident

“Those two green apples you call eyes.” (page 27)

~big, beautiful, green eyes

“The tortilla star.” (page 31)

~The sun early in the morning

“You can never have too much sky.” (page 33)

~the sky is a never ending, pleasant, wonderful place

“Sad like a house on fire.” (page 84)

~always has something wrong

“You are Mango Street” (page 107)

~You reflect your heritage.