House on Mango Street

What is your interpretation of "...wake up early with the tortilla star"? What can you infer about what Esperanza is learning about her place in society? Why do you think Alicia is afraid of her father? Explain.

Why doesn’t Esperanza like the house on Mango Street?

• It is too far from her school.

• It is small, run-down, and not the house her family dreamed of.

• It is located in a dangerous neighborhood.

• It is haunted.

What does Esperanza compare her mother’s hair to in the vignette Hairs?

• Rosettes and warm bread.

• A bird’s nest.

• A crown of flowers.

• A field of daisies.

What do Esperanza and Nenny find at Gil’s furniture store?

• A beautiful lamp.

• An antique piano.

• A music box.

• A gold ring.

Why does Esperanza want to change her name?

• She thinks it is too long and boring.

• She dislikes how people mispronounce it and its meaning.

• She wants a name that matches her favorite character.

• She feels her name is too common.

Lucy and Rachel help Esperanza feel less lonely.

• True

• False

What does Esperanza's name mean?

• Joy

• Sadness

• Hope

• Waiting

Why does Cathy say her family is moving away?

• They are upgrading to a better house.

• The neighborhood is becoming undesirable.

• Her father got a new job.

• They want to be closer to family.

What is implied by the following sentence? "In the meantime, they'll just have move a little farther north from Mango Street, a little farther away every time people like us keep moving in" (13).

• Affordable housing is difficult to find in certain neighborhoods.

• The speaker is aware that her family is not welcome in the neighborhood.

• Moving to the neighborhood has increased their family fortune.

• Moving out of the neighborhood was an unexpected occurrence.

What is the significance of the phrase, "Until then I am a red balloon tied to an anchor"?

• This comparison suggests that Esperanza feels trapped or weighed down, just like a balloon tied to an anchor would be unable to float freely.

• Esperanza is afraid her balloon will float away if it is not tied down.

• Esperanza's family makes her feel as secure as a tied balloon.

• Once Esperanza lets go of the balloon, she will be free.