THE CONSTRUCTED CHICANA IDENTITY AND MYTH IN THE HOUSE ON MANGO STREET
Open accessAbstract
This article deals with Sandra Cisneros’s (1954 – ) novel The House on Mango Street (1984) in terms of Chicana feminism, which emerged as a reaction against the male-dominated structure of Chicano Movement. In this sense, Cisneros’s novel can be regarded as a narration of how the Chicano society is built upon mythical constructions of gender roles, the paralyzed consciousness of women. The protagonist of the novel, Esperanza becomes aware of these myths in her society by observing the wrongful behaviors of both women and men and realizes these fossilized values, which suppress the women both spatially and intellectually. She sees that the women are treated like commodities and sexual objects and decides to react and find a new way to reconstruct the community. Cisneros reflects the constructed women images in the microcosmic Mango Street and her stand against this corrupted consideration. As a way of breaking the constructed roles, she implies awareness, remedy, change, and action for the women.
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TL;DR
This article reads Sandra Cisneros's *The House on Mango Street* (1984) through Chicana feminism, arguing that the novel exposes how Chicano patriarchy constructs women's identities through myths (la Virgen de Guadalupe/la Malinche, the "Angel in the house") and that protagonist Esperanza awakens to these constructions and resolves to resist them. Cisneros is presented as giving voice to silenced women and modeling awareness, remedy, change, and action.
Key findings
- The novel comprises forty-four vignettes ("lazy poems") narrated by Esperanza, about twelve years old, growing up in a male-dominated 1960s Chicago barrio; read together they form her voyage of self-exploration and self-definition.
- Women in the novel are treated as commodities or sexual objects: the great-grandmother is abducted "as if she were a fancy chandelier" (11); Rafaela is locked indoors by her husband and can only watch the street on Tuesday nights; Sally is beaten by her father ("between the buckle and the belt," 93) and later confined by a violent husband who forbids her the telephone, friends, or the window (102).
- The culture imposes a rigid good/bad dichotomy — la Virgen de Guadalupe (clean) versus la Malinche (dirty) — which Cisneros herself describes as "one or the other, there's no in-betweens" (interview, Rodriguez-Aranda 1990: 65); this dichotomy blocks women's desires and ambitions.
- Esperanza rejects conventional womanhood, resolves to begin "[her] own quiet war" (89), and is charged by the three sisters to "come back" for "the ones who cannot leave as easily as you" (105); Alicia, who attends college while doing all the housework, represents partial resistance.
Methods
- Design: qualitative literary/textual analysis — a close reading of Cisneros's novel framed by Chicana feminist theory and criticism.
- Sources: the primary text (*The House on Mango Street*, 1984) plus secondary theoretical and critical works, including Anzaldúa (1987), Alarcón (1990), Petty (2000), Olivares (1996), Saldívar (1990), Herrera-Sobek (1987), and interviews with Cisneros.
- Analysis: thematic interpretation of characters (Esperanza, Rafaela, Sally, Alicia, the great-grandmother) and motifs (houses, windows, shoes, the tortilla star) as illustrations of constructed gender myths.
Limitations
- The paper states no limitations. Evident from the text: it is an interpretive, single-novel study without empirical data or a stated sampling or coding procedure, so its claims rest on the authors' reading of selected characters and scenes rather than systematic evidence.
Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
0 of 3 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged
- Premisecitation
The aim of patriarchal society was to create a modest, meek, and innocent essence in the name of womanhood.
“The aim of this patriarchal society was to create a modest, meek, and innocent essence in the name of womanhood (Moi, 1986: 209).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Moi, 1986
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- Premisecitation
Chicana feminism emerged as a reaction against the male-dominated structure of the Chicano Movement.
“Chicana feminism, which emerged as a reaction against the male-dominated structure of Chicano Movement.”
- Also stated in: § Abstract · plain
“Chicana feminist thought emerged against the gender oppression that they were exposed to in Chicano Movement and Chicana feminism focused on the specific aspects that have influenced Chicanas' lives as women of color in the U.S. (Garcia, 1989: 217).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Garcia, 1989 source
- Also stated in: § Abstract · plain
- Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 25
- May combine two claims. 17
Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.
Findingnone givenThe novel is narrated from the perspective of Esperanza, who is about twelve years old.
“The novel is narrated from the perspective of Esperanza, who is about twelve years old.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).
Findingnone givenThe House on Mango Street consists of forty-four vignettes called 'lazy poems'.
“Mango Street consists of forty-four vignettes called 'lazy poems'.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.
InterpretationreasoningIn the novel, the boys ignore the girls and have shame when other people see them together, so the outer world does not accept the equal sharing of life.
“The boys ignore the girls and have shame when other people see them together.So, the outer world does not accept the equal sharing of life.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.
Interpretationnone givenChicano society was constructed with cultural narrations, and Chicana identity was one of these stories transferred from generation to generation.
“Chicano society was constructed with cultural narrations.Chicana identity was one of these stories, which was transferred from generation to generation.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).
Interpretationnone givenIn The House on Mango Street, Cisneros discusses sexism as an ideology that constructs the expected Chicana identity.
“In this unreliable world, Cisneros discusses sexism as an ideology that constructs the expected Chicana identity.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.
InterpretationreasoningEsperanza decides to react and find a new way to reconstruct the community.
“decides to react and find a new way to reconstruct the community.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim.
Interpretationnone givenEsperanza criticizes gender injustices throughout the novel.
“Esperanza criticizes gender injustices throughout the novel.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim.
InterpretationreasoningIn Mango Street, princes do not rescue but imprison.
“Rafaela is one of the princesses waiting for a miracle, but in Mango Street, the princes do not rescue but imprison.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.
Interpretationnone givenIn Mango Street, the houses are not places of rest or peace; they are chaotic and prison-like cold bricks.
“In Mango Street, the houses are not the places of rest or peace; they are chaotic and prison-like cold bricks.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable). May combine two claims.
InterpretationreasoningCisneros reflects the constructed women images in the microcosmic Mango Street and her stand against this corrupted consideration.
“Cisneros reflects the constructed women images in the microcosmic Mango Street and her stand against this corrupted consideration.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.
InterpretationreasoningIn the novel, Esperanza loses her innocence about sexes and learns that they are different and the female are the inferior one.
“Esperanza by experiencing the division between the male and the female loses her innocence about sexes and learns that they are different and the female are the inferior one.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).
InterpretationreasoningLiterary writing begins to serve for changing the decadence within the Chicano community.
“literary writing begins to serve for changing the decadence within their community.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.
Interpretationnone givenEach vignette in The House on Mango Street can be regarded as an independent short story, and when read together they create a narrative of a young Chicana who desires to find a social place for herself.
“Each vignette can be regarded as an independent short story and the subjects may seem not clear but, when read together, they all create a narrative of a young Chicana, who desires to find a social place for herself.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.
Interpretationown dataIn the patriarchal society depicted in the novel, women are victims of the traditional way of living and can be bought or sold metaphorically, and even stolen like a commodity.
“In such a patriarchal society, in which women are ignored but men are glorified, the women are the victims of the traditional way of living.In this culture, women can be bought or sold metaphorically, and even stolen like a commodity.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.
InterpretationreasoningIn the novel, women and men have separate worlds; even though they live in the same atmosphere, condition, and culture, their perceptions are different.
“The women and men in the novel have separate worlds in the novel.Even though they live in the same atmosphere, condition, and culture, their perceptions are different.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based). May combine two claims.
InterpretationreasoningThe novel maintains a stance against gender oppression, women stereotypes, persecution, and cultural norms.
“It maintains a stance against gender oppression, women stereotypes, persecution, and cultural norms.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.
Interpretationnone givenCisneros aims to establish communication between cultures, which she thinks political.
“She also aims to establish a communication between the cultures, which she thinks political.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim.
InterpretationreasoningThe image and myth of 'Angel in the house' is strictly criticized by Chicana feminists.
“The image and myth of 'Angel in the house' is strictly criticized by the Chicana feminists.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).
Interpretationnone givenCisneros portrays the social, cultural, and economic conditions of the world of her place.
“Cisneros portrays the social, cultural, and economic conditions of the world of her place.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.
InterpretationreasoningChicana feminists realize that oppression is a collective problem and should be solved in Chicano society and organizations.
“Chicana feminists realize that this oppression is a collective problem and should be solved in the Chicano society and organizations.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.
Interpretationown dataIn The House on Mango Street, women are treated like commodities and sexual objects.
“She sees that the women are treated like commodities and sexual objects”
- Also stated in: § Additional information · plain
“They are treated as a commodity, which can be desired, bought, and possessed by the men.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim- Also stated in: § Additional information · plain
Classified as probably not a substantial claim.
PremisecitationRafaela must be kept inside, like Malinche, because her sexuality is regarded as a threat that must be contained.
“Rafaela must be kept inside, like Malinche 4 , because her sexuality is regarded as a threat that must be contained (Petty, 2000: 125).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Petty, 2000 source
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.
Interpretationnone givenIn The House on Mango Street, Esperanza becomes aware of the myths in her society by observing wrongful behaviors of both women and men and realizes these fossilized values suppress women both spatially and intellectually.
“The protagonist of the novel, Esperanza becomes aware of these myths in her society by observing the wrongful behaviors of both women and men and realizes these fossilized values, which suppress the women both spatially and intellectually.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimMay combine two claims.
InterpretationreasoningChicanas were under pressure to be seen as designated producers of culture, and Chicana feminists reacted against the 'ideal Chicana' image that represents them as strong, patient and keepers of family.
“Chicanas were under pressure to be seen as the designated producers of culture and Chicana feminists reacted against the 'ideal Chicana' image that represents them as strong, patient and the ones who keep the family together”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).
Interpretationnone givenCisneros's The House on Mango Street can be regarded as a narration of how Chicano society is built upon mythical constructions of gender roles and the paralyzed consciousness of women.
“Cisneros's novel can be regarded as a narration of how the Chicano society is built upon mythical constructions of gender roles, the paralyzed consciousness of women.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.
InterpretationcitationIn the novel, the tradition gives women and men an identity, and this construction begins from childhood even in the same house.
“The tradition gives them an identity and this construction begins from the beginning, from childhood even in the same house.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
The paper relies on this without support.
The House on Mango Street is a microcosm of Chicano society, such that its depictions of gender roles reflect the wider Chicano community.
“Cisneros reflects the constructed women images in the microcosmic Mango Street and her stand against this corrupted consideration.”
The paper relies on this without support.
The novel's characters and events can be read as representative of Chicana experiences and cultural myths.
“Rafaela is one of the princesses waiting for a miracle, but in Mango Street, the princes do not rescue but imprison.”
Cites
THE DEVELOPMENT OF CHICANA FEMINIST DISCOURSE, 1970-1980
GARCIA, A. M. (1989) · Gender & Society · doi:10.1177/089124389003002004 · Cited by 203 · see citing works
The Theoretical Subject(s) of This Bridge Called My Back and Anglo-American Feminism
Alarcón, N. (1991) · Duke University Press eBooks · doi:10.2307/j.ctv11316tz.8 · Cited by 162 · see citing works
Female liberation as the basis for social revolution
Dunbar, R. (1900) · Cited by 25 · see citing works
Petty, L. (2000) · MELUS: Multi-Ethnic Literature of the United States · doi:10.2307/468222 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Flagged first, then by citations
Research works printed but not linked: 7
- -------- (1997). Chicana Feminist Thought, The Basic Historical Writings, (ed.) Great Britain: Routledge.
- Herrera-Sobek, Maria (1987). “The Politics of Rape: Sexual Transgression in Chicana Fiction.” The Americas Review, 15. 3-4, 171-188.
- Moraga, Cherríe (1993). “The Last Generation” The Lost Generation, Boston: South End Press, 56-59.
- Nieto, Consuelo (2014). “The Chicana and Women’s Rights Movement” Chicana Feminist Thought: The Basic Historical Writings, (ed. Alma M. Garcia) NY: Routledge, 206-211.
- Olivares, Julian (1996). “Entering The House on Mango Street” Teaching American Ethnic Literature, (eds. John R. Maitino and David R. Peck), Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press.
- Rodriguez-Aranda, Pilar E. (1990). "On the Solitary Fate of Being Mexican, Female, Wicked and Thirty-three: an Interview with the Writer Sandra Cisneros." The Americas Review 18.1, pp, 64-80.
- Saldívar, Ramon (1990). Chicano Narrative: The Dialectics of Difference, Madison, WI: The University of Wisconsin Press.
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Azteklerin Susturduğu Kadınların Mango Sokağı’ndaki Ev’den Yükselen Sesleri
Yay, İ. C. (2021) · Litera:dil,edebiyat ve kültür araştırmaları dergisi · doi:10.26650/litera2021-902314
- Authors
- ÇETİN, G. T., & KOÇSOY, F. G.
- Affiliations
- FIRAT UNIVERSITY
- Fırat University (TR)
- ORCID
- KOÇSOY, F.gül
- Venue
- Littera Turca Journal of Turkish Language and Literature
- Published
- 2020-04-30
- Volume
- 6
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 127-140
- ISSN
- 2149-892X (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W3023023258
- Semantic Scholar
- 8a219a2f4517f1b2bfb99f3772099a7865406ac6
- Cited by
- 1
- References
- 4
- Citations by year
- 2021: 1
- FWCI
- 1.47
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- Littera Turca Journal of Turkish Language and Literature (publishedVersion)
- DergiPark (Istanbul University) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Cultural Studies › Latin American and Latino Studies
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Literature and Literary Theory › Latin American Literature Analysis
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Literature and Literary Theory › Spanish Literature and Culture Studies
- Keywords
- The House on Mango Street, Sandra Cisneros, Chicana feminism, Chicano movement, gender roles, myth, women's oppression, Esperanza, Chicana identity, women as commodities, community reconstruction
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