CliffsNotes on

The House on Mango Street & Woman Hollering Creek & Other Stories

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Book Summary

Sandra Cisneros Biography

Early Years and Education
Career and Writing
Recognition and Awards

About Cisneros' Work

Introduction
The House on Mango Street
"Woman Hollering Creek" and Other Stories
Cisneros' Writing Style

Summary and Analysis of The House on Mango Street

Part 1: The House on Mango Street; Hairs; Boys & Girls; My Name
Part 2: Cathy Queen of Cats; Our Good Day; Laughter; Gil's Furniture Bought & Sold; Meme Ortiz; Louie, His Cousin & His Other Cousin
Part 3: Marin; Those Who Don't; There Was an Old Woman She Had So Many Children She Didn't Know What to Do; Alicia Who Sees Mice
Part 4: Darius and the Clouds; And Some More; The Family of Little Feet; A Rice Sandwich; Chanclas
Part 5: Hips; The First Job; Papa Who Wakes Up Tired in the Dark; Born Bad; Elenita, Cards, Palm, Water
Part 6: Geraldo No Last Name; Edna's Ruthie; The Earl of Tennessee; Sire; Four Skinny Trees
Part 7: No Speak English; Rafaela Who Drinks Coconut & Papaya Juice on Tuesdays; Sally; Minerva Writes Poems; Bums in the Attic
Part 8: Beautiful & Cruel; A Smart Cookie; What Sally Said; The Monkey Garden; Red Clowns
Part 9: Linoleum Roses; The Three Sisters; Alicia & I Talking on Edna's Steps; A House of My Own; Mango Street Says Goodbye Sometimes

Summary and Analysis of "Woman Hollering Creek" and Other Stories

My Friend Lucy Who Smells Like Corn
One Holy Night
There Was A Man, There Was A Woman — Part One
There Was A Man, There Was A Woman, Part Two
There Was A Man, There Was A Woman, Part Three
There Was A Man, There Was A Woman, Part Four

Character List

Character Map: The House on Mango Street

Character Analysis

Esperanza Cordero (The House on Mango Street)
Marin (The House on Mango Street)
Sally (The House on Mango Street)
Alicia (The House on Mango Street)
"Ixchel" ("One Holy Night")
Cleófilas ("Woman Hollering Creek")
Rosario (Chayo) De Leon ("Little Miracles, Kept Promises")

Critical Essays

Themes in Cisneros' Fiction
Form and Language as Characterization in Cisneros' Fiction

Study and Homework Help

Full Glossary for The House on Mango Street & "Woman Hollering Creek" & Other Stories
Quiz
Essay Questions
Practice Projects

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Study and Homework Help

Quiz

1:  What is the meaning of Esperanza’s name?

a. Hope

b. Beauty

c. Love

d. Peace


2:  What reason does Cathy give for her family moving out of the neighborhood?

a. They inherited money

b. Her father had a job transfer

c. The neighborhood is going downhill

d. Her parents are divorcing


3:  Who moves into Cathy’s house?

a. Alicia

b. The Vargas family

c. Marin

d. Meme Ortiz


4:  Where does Esperanza get her first job?

a. At a photo developing store

b. At a beauty salon

c. At her aunt’s stationery shop

d. At a restaurant


5:  Where does the fortune-teller say Esperanza will have a home?

a. In the city

b. In the heart

c. In Mexico

d. In her dreams


6:  Who is Geraldo?

a. The boy who Marin’s parents want her to marry

b. The boy who is hit by a car and dies in the hospital

c. The boy that Marin marries

d. Esperanza’s cousin from Mexico


7:  What reason does Esperanza’s mother give for quitting school?

a. She had no way to get there.

b. She wanted to get married.

c. She got pregnant.

d. She was ashamed of her clothes.


8:  What mysterious place do Esperanza and her friends play in?

a. A rundown boathouse

b. An abandoned garden

c. A deserted lake house

d. An old movie theater


9:  Why does Sally marry?

a. Because she is deeply in love

b. To support her family

c. Because she is pregnant

d. To escape her abusive father


10:  Which is the best description of how Esperanza feels about her time living on Mango Street?

a. She detests her experience and never wants anything to do with it again.

b. She wants to escape it, but she knows it will always be a part of her.

c. She has happy and fond memories will always be with her.





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