The House on Mango Street- III

Eperanza is a great protagonist for a bildungsroman novel. She searches for her identity (part of which is her cultural identity) throughout the book, and is continually influenced by the community of women around her. Her house on Mango Street is both a barrier or hindrance in her life, and also a reflection of her heritage. Esperanza recognizes the poverty, gender discrimination, and abuse that women like her mother, Sally, and other neighbors experience. She decides that she does not want to ‘wait beside the window’ as her grandmother did, nor does she want to wait for someone to come along to change her life, as Marin does. Esperanza decides that she has the power to take control of her own life, and the strength to leave her home.

Part of this coming of age novel is Esperanza’s struggle with her cultural identity. Even while deciding to leave Mango Street, she knows she is leaving only to return for those that are unable to get away. She feels a connection with the community, that is partly pride and partly pity. Nonetheless, this novel shows that those around her have had a huge influence on her, and are ultimately part of her identity. She can leave Mango Street, and must in order to achieve all of her dreams. Yet, Mango Street is already a part of her. She’ll bring her cultural identity with her to her future experiences.

This bildungsroman novel shows a teenage girl struggling with growing up and with understanding who she is. It is a novel that any reader can connect to on some level, as we all must encounter this search for purpose and identity. I really enjoyed this book, and connected with Esperanza. It made me recall the typical struggles of teenage years and reflect on my own search for identity.