The House on Mango Street-The Elephant Man

A detailed Summary of The House on Mango Street-The Elephant Man

The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros and The Elephant Man by Christine Sparks are novels in which the main characters are both searching for their identity in a society where they are not accepted. In The House on Mango Street, a young girl names Esparanza is self-conscious about her home, her appearance, and her name. Throughout her childhood, she observes many of life's realities while meeting her neighbors on Mango Street . She searches for her childhood identity only wishing to become a writer. Esperanza, in many ways can be compared to the protagonist in The Elephant Man, John Merrick. He is a bright, sensitive man who is imprisoned in a distorted body where he only wishes to be treated as an equal. When a generous man named Treves chooses to help and take care of John Merrick, he finally begins to come out of his shell and reveal his true self. He also uses writing as an outlet in helping him deal with a society that doesn't choose to accept him.

The House On Mango Street is a novel which traces Esperanza Cordero's childhood through a series of stories about her family, neighborhood, and secret dreams. Throughout the short stories, Esperanza deals with obst

acles such as poverty, gender, and race. The novel begins when the Cordero family moves into a new house on Mango Street. Esperanza is not only ashamed of her home, she is uncomfortable with her outside appearance, which she feels doesn't convey her the true personality hidden inside of her. Throughout the entire novel, Esperanza observes the lives of her neighbors and this is how she learns to deal with her life and the world around her. Although she constantly tells the readers that she wants to move away from Mango Street, by the end of the novel we know she will one day return to help those who aren't as lucky as her. "One day I'll own my own house, but I won't forget who I am or where I came from. Passing bums will ask, Can I come in? I'll offer them the attic, ask them to stay because I know how it is to be with out a house" (87). At the end of the story, Esperanza admits that she will never escape Mango Street. It has influenced her dreams and personality and she has learned valuable life lessons from its people.

This quote reveals Esperanza's belief that writing is an outlet and when she puts her thoughts down on paper, it makes her feel better. I believe tha

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Approximate Word count = 799
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Novels

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