Diversity In The House On Mango Street

Through Esperanza, the protagonist of The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros, we see life in a poor, working-class neighborhood in Chicago. As a character, Esperanza is characterized by her longing for a better life, her desire for independence, and her sense of self-awareness. Despite their similar struggles and aspirations, the other women in the novella approach these challenges differently, illustrating the diversity in their community.

The character of Esperanza is complex, as she struggles with questions of identity and self-expression. In spite of her gender, ethnicity, and social class limitations, she refuses to let them define her. In the novella Esperazna says "I didn't want to grow up as the others did, waiting for the ball

For example, Sally, Esperanza's friend, is forced to marry at a young age and endures physical abuse from her husband. The specific details of her situation are not explicitly stated. The novella suggests that Sally is in an abusive relationship with her husband through the following lines: "Sally, who smiled a little then and now, whose hair is so lousy she has to go to sleep with it wet for tomorrow, who is sorry when her feet hurt her and who loves turtles and maybe even thinks she can draw but can't, Sally who is too afraid to go outside by herself except on weekends because her father has told her to beware, Sally who is beautiful where her mother is not... Sally who has no friends among the girls her age, who is not healthy, who is not happy, but who is beautiful. That Sally."These lines imply that Sally is trapped in an unhappy and potentially dangerous situation, unable to escape the abuse she is experiencing. While the novella does not explicitly state that Sally was forced into marriage, her situation is a common one faced by many young women in traditional societies. These young women are pressured to marry early and are often subject to abuse at the hands of their husbands.Likewise, Marin, who longs for a life beyond Mango Street, is limited by her role as a caregiver for her younger siblings; "Esperanza describes her neighbor

This is due in large part to her unwavering sense of self-awareness and her refusal to be defined by the limitations imposed on her. Esperanza recognizes the potential dangers of her community, such as the risk of sexual assault, and takes steps to protect herself. She also seeks out positive role models, such as the strong and independent Alicia, who inspire her to pursue her dreams and refuse to be held back by societal expectations. In the novella it says, "Alicia, who inherited her mama's rolling pin and sleepiness, is young enough to still believe in her own invincibility. She thinks she can do anything. She is brave and daring, and I am brave and daring