House on Mango Street Chapters 1-20

What do you think the following quotation says about the narrator’s feelings about her home? "I knew then I had to have a house. A real house. One I could point to.”

• She wanted to be able to find her house easily.
• She was ashamed of her house.
• She was proud of her house.
• She was tired of being homeless and wanted a home.

This novel is written in a poetic style. What do you think is the meaning of the following metaphor: “Until then I am a red balloon tied to an anchor.”

• Esperanza loved going to the circus and get balloons.
• Esperanza's was tired of being told what to do.
• Esperanza was the "red balloon" longing to fly away but she was tied to her sister who is the "anchor".
• Esperanza wanted to leave her home.

Why is it bad luck for a woman to be born in the year of the horse?

• Horses are considered strong and independent and that's not what Mexican or Chinese men wanted their women to be.
• Women born in that year were infertile and couldn't have children.
• Women born in that year had a difficult life and experienced many tragedies.
• Women born in that year were unattractive and couldn't find a husband.

Why does Esperanza say that she has her grandmother’s name but doesn’t “want to inherit her place by the window”?

• Esperanza would prefer to go outside and play and didn't want to be stuck in the house.
• Esperanza didn't like her grandmother because she didn't do anything with her life.
• Esperanza didn't want to turn out like her grandmother, looking out the window with sadness wondering what her life could be like.
• Esperanza hated that she often had to keep her grandmother company by the window.

What does the following passage from the story suggest about Meme’s character? “This is the tree we chose for the First Annual Tarzan Jumping Contest. Meme won. And broke both arms.”

• He was competetive
• He was wreckless
• He was willing to do whatever it takes in order to win.
• All of the above.

Many critics believe this novel expresses many feminist views. From the perspective of a feminist, what is wrong with Marin’s “dream” described in the following passage? “…she’s going to get a real job downtown because that’s where the best jobs are, since you always get to look beautiful and get to wear nice clothes and can meet someone in the subway who might marry you.”

• She shouldn't expect a man to take care of her.
• She should take ownership over her own life.
• She should be strong and independent.
• All of the above.

What does the sentence “All brown all around, we are safe” mean?

• a. They felt safe in their own neighborhood.
• b. They only trusted brown people and not white people.
• c. They feel safe among their own people.
• d. Both A and C

In Chapter 14, "Alice Who Sees Mice", What is Alicia doing to escape from Mango Street?

• She is planning to run away.
• She is going to the University and staying up late at night to study.
• She is learning to make good tortillas so she can find a husband.
• She is working two jobs.

In Chapter 14, "Alice who Sees Mice" How does Alice's father feel about what a woman’s role should be?

• He supports women's rights and is proud of his daughter's hard work.
• He thinks a woman's place is at home.
• He thinks that women should work and help support their husbands with bills.
• He doesn't have any opinion. He just wants fresh tortillas in the morning.

In Chapter 17, "Family of Little Feet", What motivates the grocer to threaten the girls with the police if they don’t take off their high heels?

• He recognizes the high heel shoes are stolen.
• He is tired of the girls playing around in front of his store.
• He realizes that the girls are too young and will attract the wrong attention with the high heels.
• He is a Karen and calls the police on everyone.