House On Mango Street Gender Inequality

Esperanza lives in an era where men and women live very different lives due to gender inequality. Esperanza lives in a world where her eyes see male domination, and very feeble women. her eyes see that men can be embarrassed when seen weak, and women just do not belong well in this type of society. The House on Mango Street tells us the story about a young girl named Esperanza. Esperanza has two brothers, Carlos and Kiki, while also having one younger sister, Nenny. In one vignette, she talks about the role that her brothers take on in the society, and what they think about girls like Esperanza and her little sister, Nenny. Esperanza describes their roles by saying, “The boys and the girls live in separate worlds. The boys in their universe and we in ours. My brothers for example. They’ve got plenty to say to

She describes her great-grandmother as a brave, courageous, and daring woman. However, the only problem is, Esperanza says that the Mexicans do not like women to be strong. She goes on in explaining what she means by saying, “My great-grandmother. I would’ve liked to have known her, a wild horse of a woman, so wild she wouldn’t marry. Until my great-grandfather threw a sack over her head and carried her off. Just like that, as if she were a fancy chandelier” (Cisneros 10-11). Afterwards, Esperanza goes on explaining that her great-grandmother never forgave her great-grandfather because, “She looked out the window her whole life, the way so many women sit their sadness on an elbow” (Cisneros 11). These stories are very meaningful in describing the era and society in which Esperanza lives in. According to Esperanza’s description of her two brothers’ roles in society, it clearly shows how the men are supposed to be the strong and empowering people. Men can do anything they desire. They are not really allowed to show any real emotions that might make them seem weak and