The Theme Of Past In Sandra Cisneros The House On Mango Street

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Thomas Jefferson once said,“I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past.” This quote can be taken much deeper, with the understanding that the past is just that, history. Of course history still affects the future today, but people focus more on moving forward rather than dwelling on the past. In Sandra Cisneros’ “The House on Mango Street” the author illustrates the idea, using her family members’ past, other residents of Mango Street, and Esperanza discovering who she is, that while the past can make up parts of a person, it does not have to be their whole identity. Instead it can be a way in which the person can develop in the future. Within Esperanza’s family, members often repeat the pattern of falling short of success, never making it out on their own and being able to support themselves. A constant reminder of this lifestyle lays in Esperanza’s name, as it is shared between her, and her great grandmother. In the HOMS, the grandmother is described as a wild horse of a woman, until she gets married and loses her freedom. Esperanza notes,” I have inherited her name but I will not inherit her place in the window,”(11). Here she refers to all the lonesome time her grandmother …show more content…

In this case for her, that means breaking out and leaving Mango Street. Then, with the help of other residents, the idea of moving on from her childhood is presented in different forms, yet all share a common theme that she will be the one who is able and will leave. Even Esperanza discovering her strength, and who she is, leads to her understanding why it means when she will one day break free from the struggles she is faced with living on Mango Street. All of the pain and struggle Esperanza is faced with all leads back to the point that no matter what past somebody has, it doesn't make up who they will become; it can develop them into their future