House on Mango Street Chapters 21-44

Front

Why does Mamacita begin to cry when she hears her baby speak English? What does this symbolize for her?

Back

She cries because she doesn't want her baby to accept the American culture. This symbolizes the loss of the only connection she has to her home country.

Front

What does Esperanza learn from Rafaela about the life of a young married woman on Mango Street?

Back

Many of the women are controlled by their husbands, Many of the women spend their time staring out the window wondering what their life could have been like., Many of the women have regrets and wish their lives could have turned out differently.

Front

Why might Esperanza be particularly moved by Minerva’s sad life? Minerva is a friend of Esperanza's who shares a love of poetry. She has two small children and a husband who beats her.

Back

Esperanza might feel that Minerva's situation could be her own and feels close to her due to their shared love of poetry.

Front

Why doesn’t Esperanza go with her family to look at the houses on the hill?

Back

Esperanza feels ashamed at staring at other people's houses like a hungry dog and is tired of wishing for things that she now knows she can only get with hard work.

Front

Who is Esperanza talking about in the following passage? “…but I have decided not to grow up tame like the others who lay their necks on the threshold waiting for the ball and chain.”

Back

She is talking about all of the women in her life that have allowed themselves to be controlled by a man.

Front

What does the "ball and chain" symbolize in the following quote: “…but I have decided not to grow up tame like the others who lay their necks on the threshold waiting for the ball and chain.”

Back

Being controlled like a slave or a prisoner.

Front

Why does Esperanza’s mother quit school? What advice does she give her daughter?

Back

She quit school because she was too ashamed of her clothes. She tells Esperanza to stay in school and not to be too prideful.

Front

Why do you think Sally goes back with her father?

Back

Sally still loved her father and wanted him to love her back., Sally was afraid of her father and what he would do if she disobeyed him., Sally forgave her father and hoped he would really change this time.

Front

Why didn't Tito's mother have a serious reaction when Esperanza told her that her son was refusing to give Sally back her keys unless she kissed him and his friends?

Back

She probably didn't think it was a big deal because "Boys will be boys".

Front

What can one infer happens to Esperanza at the carnival?

Back

She was sexually assaulted.