https://padlet.com/thomas_mckenzie2013/p3lg4bzj4joi The House on Mango Street en-us 2018-08-07 06:45:29 UTC 2018-08-07 10:49:16 UTC hello@padlet.com thomas_mckenzie2013 https://padlet.com/thomas_mckenzie2013/p3lg4bzj4joi/wish/272179373 This interview with the author of the book gives the reader an insight into many of the themes that the author, Sandra Cisneros, is trying to portray. She describes how the protagonist Esperanza is trying to find a place where she belongs or a "home" to call her own. Not a home in the physical sense but a home in an emotional and mental sense. She also describes how her life experiences translate into the book and the inspiration behind the location and characters in her story. This is useful to the reader so that they can get an overview of the message that Sandra is trying to get across.]]> 2018-08-07 08:08:34 UTC https://padlet.com/thomas_mckenzie2013/p3lg4bzj4joi/wish/272179373 thomas_mckenzie2013 https://padlet.com/thomas_mckenzie2013/p3lg4bzj4joi/wish/272179978 This article published by the American Psychological Association suggests that moving locations repeatedly, especially at a young age, can drastically affect individuals abilities to form healthy long term relationships. This not only affects social well being but can also affect how well children do in school, and can cause behavioral problems. This study is especially important to the book because Esperanza moving so much when she was a child may contribute to her struggle of finding a sense of belonging in the world and highlights her inability to form a meaningful connection with those around her, especially the people she calls friends. ]]> 2018-08-07 08:18:05 UTC https://padlet.com/thomas_mckenzie2013/p3lg4bzj4joi/wish/272179978 thomas_mckenzie2013 https://padlet.com/thomas_mckenzie2013/p3lg4bzj4joi/wish/272181471 Throughout the book Esperanza envisions a life outside of Mango Street and makes it her goal to leave the run down neighborhood that her parents decide to settle in. She believes that the environment she is growing up in does not support a healthy lifestyle and that leaving will drastically increase her odds of having a successful adulthood and make her a contributing member of society. In this study cited by the New York Times, they state that "the neighborhood in which you grow up is a major determinant of your economic success as an adult". This brings truth to Esperanza's vision of broader horizons and gives cadence to her theory of escaping her run-down neighborhood for a better life.]]> 2018-08-07 08:38:15 UTC https://padlet.com/thomas_mckenzie2013/p3lg4bzj4joi/wish/272181471 thomas_mckenzie2013 https://padlet.com/thomas_mckenzie2013/p3lg4bzj4joi/wish/272182975 This clip from PBS.org emphasizes the racism that Mexican-Americans have faced since the civil war and describes how Mexican-Americans did not fit into society's black and white view of race in America. Though you may have heard about the lynching of African-Americans, you may not have considered that many Mexican-Americans were also lynched and treated just as poorly by white Americans who thought themselves superior. This is important to the story because it stresses how hard it was for Esperanza to find a sense of belonging in society, especially when it seems like society is against her. A great example of this is when Esperanza first moves into her new neighborhood on Mango Street and makes friends with Cathy. Cathy says her family is moving out of the neighborhood because it is becoming sketchier and sketchier. Esperanza instantly realizes that this is because of the Mexican-American families moving in and is offended by Cathy's condescending attitude. ]]> 2018-08-07 08:56:31 UTC https://padlet.com/thomas_mckenzie2013/p3lg4bzj4joi/wish/272182975 thomas_mckenzie2013 https://padlet.com/thomas_mckenzie2013/p3lg4bzj4joi/wish/272184318 This article published by the PMC underlines the importance of gender roles in Hispanic culture. It describes how Hispanic cultures tend to be very traditional in their attitude towards the roles that women play in a relationship/marriage. This attitude places women in a position of obligation towards time consuming housework and menial tasks instead of having the opportunity to pursue a career. In the book Esperanza feels that the women in her neighborhood are tied down by their husbands and children and she does not want to meet the same fate as a majority of these women. Esperanza seeks a feeling of "home" in society but her version of "home" is quite different from the other women in her neighborhood.]]> 2018-08-07 09:21:39 UTC https://padlet.com/thomas_mckenzie2013/p3lg4bzj4joi/wish/272184318 thomas_mckenzie2013 https://padlet.com/thomas_mckenzie2013/p3lg4bzj4joi/wish/272186123 This article by NPR explores the many benefits of poetry and describes how valuable it can be, especially for those going through a rough time. One story from the article particularly stands out to me which is the story of Ruth Berman. Ruth picked up writing poetry to cope with the death of her husband and feels that it has done wonders to help her deal with her loss. I think this is especially important to Esperanza in "The House on Mango Street" because she faces deaths of those close to her in her life as well. Though she may not realize it at the time I believe poetry really helps Esperanza face the trials and tribulations that life throws at her throughout the book and gives her a great sense of comfort in a world that she feels so withdrawn from. ]]> 2018-08-07 10:00:01 UTC https://padlet.com/thomas_mckenzie2013/p3lg4bzj4joi/wish/272186123 thomas_mckenzie2013 https://padlet.com/thomas_mckenzie2013/p3lg4bzj4joi/wish/272186976 This article from the LA Times explains the struggles of immigrants who come to America for a better life but are unable to speak English. Though Esperanza and her friends grow up speaking English I believe that it is important to highlight the hurdles that other Mexican-Americans in her community, including her father had to face when they do not know the language. Esperanza's father worked hard to become a part of American society while others, like Mamacita, shut themselves off from society, not wanting to belong to any part of it.]]> 2018-08-07 10:16:56 UTC https://padlet.com/thomas_mckenzie2013/p3lg4bzj4joi/wish/272186976 thomas_mckenzie2013 https://padlet.com/thomas_mckenzie2013/p3lg4bzj4joi/wish/272187855 This article lists the effects that sexual violence can have on a person and how it can alter your perception of the world. It describes how sexual assault can cause isolation, fear, and distrust. This is especially important to Esperanza because before her sexual assault she already had no trust for those around her. After her experience she blames her friend Sally for not being there to help her and puts most of the blame on society in general instead of her attackers. ]]> 2018-08-07 10:34:26 UTC https://padlet.com/thomas_mckenzie2013/p3lg4bzj4joi/wish/272187855