“In English my name means hope. In Spanish it means too many letters." the previous quote is an excerpt from the house on Mango Street. The House on Mango Street is a fictional novel written by Sandra Cisneros composed of a series of poetic vignettes that weave together to tell a story full of culture, brilliant images and meaningful dialogue. Although there is no central plot or conflict, the novel tells the heartbreaking yet breathtaking story of a young Hispanic girl named Esperanza who lives in the underprivileged neighborhood of Mango Street. Readers get to witness Esperanza's growth. They can also peek into her memories connected to the house and how they affected her. It tackles a number of challenging themes such as grief and oppression, but also tackles issues such as identity, friendship and family. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The novel begins with Esperanza Cordero talking about her house and how her family ended up living there. He reveals that he hasn't always lived on Mango Street. He lived in many different apartments before living in this house on Mango Street. While she's not entirely happy with the house, her parents have assured her that it won't be permanent. But she doesn't believe it because she knows they will live here for a long time. Esperanza doesn't like Mango Street and feels very out of place living there, but she has accepted that she needs to live there until she is older and able to move out. The story continues to narrate some significant moments in Esperanza's daily life, such as in a vignette titled “Hairs” when she introduces her family by describing their hair. You learn more about each family, like when she says her mother's hair smells like bread and makes her feel safe. In another vignette "Our Good Day" when she became good friends with two girls named Lucy and Rachel because they shared a bike together. In another cartoon titled "Those Who Don't" where he describes how people who come into Mango Street always seem terrified because they think of everyone as dangerous criminals. She later admits that she, too, feels scared when she enters a neighborhood of “another color.” In "Papa Waking Up Tired in the Dark" her father informs her that her grandfather has died and he cries. Espernaza is shocked and holds him in her arms as she remembers her father waking up in the early hours of the morning to go to work. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Customize EssayTo conclude, although “The House on Mango Street” lacks the conventions of a short story, it has one thing in common with other conventional literary novels and that is the fact that Esperanza has changed in the end. The moments she documented allowed her to self-reflect and opened her eyes to a new way of thinking. Events that fall under the difficult but pertinent themes of oppression, pain, and shame tested her character and gave her space to develop. While other events intertwined with themes of identity, friendship and family nourished the parts of her identity with which she has always identified and loved.