Post one level two question, and one level three question for your classmates about the text. Then, answer at least one question as well. Use textual evidence and close reading skills in your post.
Level 3: Imagine growing up in the house on mango street, how would this effect your identity? Level 2: Think about the chapter " Hairs". Why does the author choose to include this particular chapter? What does this say about the characters identity ?
If I grew up on Mango street I probably would be very vulnerable and influenced by my society. Since my neighborhood around me is very radical and diverse when it comes to personality, I wouldn't really know where I fit in besides the poor, latino girl."I would like to baptize myself under a new name, a name more like the real me, the one nobody sees." (Cisneros,11) I guess I would become somebody that people wanted me to be, other than who I really wanted to be.
Cisneros uses a lot of metaphors and similes. What effect does this have on the reader? Why do you think she does this? Does it help provide imagery or change your perspective on the novella?
Cisneros also uses descriptions of locations and houses. What is the advantage of using this? Is it a motif? Why is this important?
I don't honestly see the importance of the description of the locations besides that it gives the reader a better idea of the economic status of the surrounding citizens, I think that the only real advantage is to the reader. Its also important to recognize that the location plays into stereotypes of hispanic living.
2. How does the writing style in The House on Mango Street compare to the style of Speak? In what ways are they similar? Different? 3. Evaluate the symbolism of their names. In THOMS, Esperanza is one of the only characters with one single name. What purpose does this serve and what does it show about the main character?
reply to your level 3: I think her not having a nickname symbolizes that Esperanza is who she is known as and that it's part of her identity. She can't just come home and become Nenny, she's known to all as Esperanza so maybe this also means she's a stronger person and can do without that shield of multiple names/identities. -Hannah blankenship
Reply to your level 2: I think that they are similar because in both speak an THOMS, the main character gives detailed information on how they are feeling on the inside, and how outside influences are affecting them or changing them. One way they are different is that in Speak the details are a little bit more harsh and real life, like the lip biting, while in THOMS the details are more innocent because they are from the point of view of a little girl.
2. In this story, the main character Esperanza often puts herself down and judges herself very harshly (such as the chanclas incident.) Infer how her house affects her self esteem; do you think this is why she wants to move so badly?
3. Imagine being in Esperanza's shoes. She moves constantly, she doesn't have many friends, and some of them even move away also (Cathy); nothing in her life is steady or permanent. Would you be able to handle this or would you crack under the pressure?
@Hannah's level 3 If I was in Esperanza's position I would probably be in a very bad place because I would be stressed about moving all the time and I wouldn't have any friends to turn to about it either. -Haley
2.In the first chapter Esperanza talks about how there current house is temporary, and when she goes on about the other places she's lived it seems as if she doesn't really develops an attachment to the place why do you think this is? 3. Speculate why Esperanza has a certain image of what a "real house" should look like. Where do you think she gets this idea from? do you think that to her there are only external requirements like staircases or do you think there are some internal things that go along with it? -Grace
@grace's level 2 - I think she doesn't really have enough time to become attached. Because they are always moving she never really found her placement at each house. To her a house was basically just the place you stay until it was time to move on. That's why it was such a big deal when she moved to Mango street because they told her this would be all in their possession and they would never have to leave. -ashlyn
2: Think to the beginning of the book when Esperanza was yearning for a friend and tried to find it in any place she could get. Do you think this connects to the fact that she doesn't fit with her family?
3: Imagine yourself in Esperanza's position, moving all the time, not fitting in your family, not having any permanent friends. What would you do and how would you handle it?
@Haley's level 2: If I was in Esperanza's position I think over time I would become less social and more to myself creating crazy ideas in my head and have an imaginary best friend. But I also feel if I was put in to that situation more harm would come than good. For example school I think would be really difficult because I wouldn't know exactly what kind of people I like to hang out with if it be the people who like to constantly talk about politics and debate about it or the people who just make jokes and laugh about childish things like dodo. -Grace
@ Haley's Level 3: I'd probably be fine. Changing schools would suck but otherwise I'd be fine between books and cooking. I'm someone who prefers my own thoughts and memories over materialistic things anyways.
Level 2: How does the innocence of the kids add to the effect of the story? "They put handcuffs on him and put him in the back seat of the cop car, and we all waved as they drove away." Level 3: Analyze the style that Sandra Cisneros writes this book in, and explain the effect of giving really short chapters, and how it affects the reader.
Level 2 - Compare and contrast the was "The House on Mango Street" would be the same and different if it wasn't written like it is. In mini short stories. Level 3 - "I have inherited her name, but I don't want to inherit her place by the window." (page 11) Today in our anticipation guide we talked about our names and what they meant to us. Predict how you would feel if you were Esperanza.
Level 2: Infer why the author seems to include minor details and avoid an actual plot point. Why do you believe the chapters are short and the plot minimal? Level 3: Speculate on how autobiographical this book is? Do you think some of these events happened to the author as a child?
I think that the author is trying to tell about a life, Jenna, andto me, a life is a ton of tiny memories and stories and happenings that come together rather than one long story. We never tell our life stories as one long thing, we just include a couple vivid memories that relate to the topic, and I think the "what-you-think-are-the-irrelevant-and-unimportant-snippets-but-aren't" memories were what the author what looking to convey.
Level 3: Imagine growing up in the house on mango street, how would this effect your identity?
ReplyDeleteLevel 2: Think about the chapter " Hairs". Why does the author choose to include this particular chapter? What does this say about the characters identity ?
If I grew up on Mango street I probably would be very vulnerable and influenced by my society. Since my neighborhood around me is very radical and diverse when it comes to personality, I wouldn't really know where I fit in besides the poor, latino girl."I would like to baptize myself under a new name, a name more like the real me, the one nobody sees." (Cisneros,11) I guess I would become somebody that people wanted me to be, other than who I really wanted to be.
Delete-Aissa
I think i would be the same way!
DeleteCisneros uses a lot of metaphors and similes. What effect does this have on the reader? Why do you think she does this? Does it help provide imagery or change your perspective on the novella?
ReplyDeleteCisneros also uses descriptions of locations and houses. What is the advantage of using this? Is it a motif? Why is this important?
I don't honestly see the importance of the description of the locations besides that it gives the reader a better idea of the economic status of the surrounding citizens, I think that the only real advantage is to the reader. Its also important to recognize that the location plays into stereotypes of hispanic living.
Delete2. How does the writing style in The House on Mango Street compare to the style of Speak? In what ways are they similar? Different?
ReplyDelete3. Evaluate the symbolism of their names. In THOMS, Esperanza is one of the only characters with one single name. What purpose does this serve and what does it show about the main character?
-Aissa
reply to your level 3: I think her not having a nickname symbolizes that Esperanza is who she is known as and that it's part of her identity. She can't just come home and become Nenny, she's known to all as Esperanza so maybe this also means she's a stronger person and can do without that shield of multiple names/identities.
Delete-Hannah blankenship
Reply to your level 2: I think that they are similar because in both speak an THOMS, the main character gives detailed information on how they are feeling on the inside, and how outside influences are affecting them or changing them. One way they are different is that in Speak the details are a little bit more harsh and real life, like the lip biting, while in THOMS the details are more innocent because they are from the point of view of a little girl.
Delete2. In this story, the main character Esperanza often puts herself down and judges herself very harshly (such as the chanclas incident.) Infer how her house affects her self esteem; do you think this is why she wants to move so badly?
ReplyDelete3. Imagine being in Esperanza's shoes. She moves constantly, she doesn't have many friends, and some of them even move away also (Cathy); nothing in her life is steady or permanent. Would you be able to handle this or would you crack under the pressure?
-Hannah Blankenship
@Hannah's level 3
DeleteIf I was in Esperanza's position I would probably be in a very bad place because I would be stressed about moving all the time and I wouldn't have any friends to turn to about it either.
-Haley
2.In the first chapter Esperanza talks about how there current house is temporary, and when she goes on about the other places she's lived it seems as if she doesn't really develops an attachment to the place why do you think this is?
ReplyDelete3. Speculate why Esperanza has a certain image of what a "real house" should look like. Where do you think she gets this idea from? do you think that to her there are only external requirements like staircases or do you think there are some internal things that go along with it?
-Grace
*their
Delete-Grace
@grace's level 2 - I think she doesn't really have enough time to become attached. Because they are always moving she never really found her placement at each house. To her a house was basically just the place you stay until it was time to move on. That's why it was such a big deal when she moved to Mango street because they told her this would be all in their possession and they would never have to leave.
Delete-ashlyn
2: Think to the beginning of the book when Esperanza was yearning for a friend and tried to find it in any place she could get. Do you think this connects to the fact that she doesn't fit with her family?
ReplyDelete3: Imagine yourself in Esperanza's position, moving all the time, not fitting in your family, not having any permanent friends. What would you do and how would you handle it?
-Haley
@Haley's level 2: If I was in Esperanza's position I think over time I would become less social and more to myself creating crazy ideas in my head and have an imaginary best friend. But I also feel if I was put in to that situation more harm would come than good. For example school I think would be really difficult because I wouldn't know exactly what kind of people I like to hang out with if it be the people who like to constantly talk about politics and debate about it or the people who just make jokes and laugh about childish things like dodo.
Delete-Grace
I meant to write level three not level two
Delete-Grace
@ Haley's Level 3: I'd probably be fine. Changing schools would suck but otherwise I'd be fine between books and cooking. I'm someone who prefers my own thoughts and memories over
Deletematerialistic things anyways.
Level 2: How does the innocence of the kids add to the effect of the story? "They put handcuffs on him and put him in the back seat of the cop car, and we all waved as they drove away."
ReplyDeleteLevel 3: Analyze the style that Sandra Cisneros writes this book in, and explain the effect of giving really short chapters, and how it affects the reader.
Level 2 - Compare and contrast the was "The House on Mango Street" would be the same and different if it wasn't written like it is. In mini short stories.
ReplyDeleteLevel 3 - "I have inherited her name, but I don't want to inherit her place by the window." (page 11) Today in our anticipation guide we talked about our names and what they meant to us. Predict how you would feel if you were Esperanza.
-ashlyn
Level 2: Infer why the author seems to include minor details and avoid an actual plot point. Why do you believe the chapters are short and the plot minimal?
ReplyDeleteLevel 3: Speculate on how autobiographical this book is? Do you think some of these events happened to the author as a child?
I think that the author is trying to tell about a life, Jenna, andto me, a life is a ton of tiny memories and stories and happenings that come together rather than one long story. We never tell our life stories as one long thing, we just include a couple vivid memories that relate to the topic, and I think the "what-you-think-are-the-irrelevant-and-unimportant-snippets-but-aren't" memories were what the author what looking to convey.
Delete