The House on Mango Street: Searching for Identity

Abstract

This paper studies a Chicana adolescent Esperanza Cordero’s search for a “self” that she believes is essential to come out from the prevailing suppression she observes as a woman and as a Mexican-American. She realizes that to achieve her goal she has to establish herself in the society to eradicate her dependency on anyone. In her quest she has found some symbols that gradually helped her to construct her identity. Her imaginary house where she wishes to be alone to nurture her innate ability of writing is her first step toward her identity. Her name given after her grandmother and the sad past of the namesake is another symbol through which she searches for self-definition. Three skinny trees out of Esperanza’s window come as a metaphor of her own position in her father’s house and clear her perception about belonging and existence. Esperanza’s meeting with three sisters from Mexico serves as a turning point of her life. Their prophesy about Esperanza’s future enhances her search and ensures that she is in the right track. The three sisters appear as a fairy godmother for Esperanza and guide her toward her search. Through this “self” searching journey, Esperanza matures as a woman and as a writer.