The House on Mango Street is a novel written by Sandra Cisneros. It tells the story of Esperanza Cordero, a 12-year-old girl who lives in the Hispanic corner of Chicago. Esperanza wants to leave Mango Street because her ideal life is far more different than life on Mango Street and makes her feel like she doesn’t belong there. Nonetheless, her experiences there leave her with a sense of responsibility to not forget about the place.

Esperanza is eager for her own dream house, away from the one she lives on Mango Street. However, she can’t forget about Mango Street because of her responsibility to the people there. This can be seen in the chapter Bums in the Attic, in which Esperanza says, “One day I’ll own my own house, but I wouldn’t forget who I am or where I came from. … because I know how it is to be without a house” (87). Even if Esperanza achieves her goal in the future, she will not reject visiting people who once lived on Mango. Her words show that she would treat these guests well since she understands the miserable circumstances of people who are unable to live in their dream houses. Esperanza’s connection to the people is also seen at the end of the novel: “They will not know I have gone away to come back. For the ones I left behind. For the ones who cannot out” (110). One of her connections to Mango Street is her mom. In the previous chapter, Hairs, Esperanza expresses her affection for her mom’s hair, which gives her a sense of safety especially while sleeping. Esperanza will not leave her mom behind since her mom gives her love and support. Although Esperanza doesn’t like life on Mango Street, she accepts it and takes responsibility for not denying her connection to the people there.

In addition, Esperanza takes on the responsibility of resisting the control of patriarchy on Mango Street despite her wish to escape it. Esperanza says, “Do you (Sally) wish your feet would one day keep walking and take you far away from Mango Street, far away and maybe your feet would stop in front of a house, a nice one with flowers and big windows and steps for you to climb up two by two upstairs to where a room is waiting for you” (82). The phrase “Take you far away” shows that Esperanza believes Sally has suffered many grievances from the idea of being beautiful is trouble and desires to escape from it. However, Esperanza strongly disagrees with the idea that Sally’s suffering is her own fault. By stating that “a nice one is waiting for you [Sally],” Esperanza conveys that Sally deserves better and should be free “to love and to love…and no one could call that crazy” (83). Simultaneously, Esperanza’s words indicate that she herself wants to escape an environment controlled by men. Other indications of this prevailing male domination include the many wives who are afraid of leaving home without the permission of their husbands. For example, Rafaela is stuck in the house and asks the kids to buy her coconut or papaya juice. Sally’s husband doesn’t allow her to talk on the telephone. Even Esperanza’s great-grandmother is among these wives, as noted by Esperanza saying, “I have inherited her name, but I don’t want to inherit her place by the window” (11). Though Esperanza’s great-grandmother is supposed to be a wild woman, Esperanza’s great-grandfather deprives her great-grandmother of her freedom. The great-grandmother is caged inside the house, only allowed to look outside for freedom through windows. Wanting to escape a similar entrapment, Esperanza says, “I have begun my own quiet war. … I am one who leaves the table like a man, without putting back the chair or picking up the plate” (89). Esperanza defies her great-grandmother’s fate and tries her best to live a different life for her great-grandmother, a wild and free life her great-grandmother is supposed to have. Therefore, Esperanza hates the patriarchy, but she chooses to fight instead of escaping because of a sense of duty for women on Mango Street.

In conclusion, Mango Street is a controversial place for Esperanza. She hates Mango Street because nothing here matches her dream life. Nonetheless, she also feels responsible and deeply connected to the people there because this is her home even if she does not want to admit it.