We are all affected by cultural standards that our own society imposes to us as what is perceive to be normal and acceptable. In United States, the American Dream- the dream of success, wealth and power all rolled up into one influences many people especially in the minds of the immigrants who perpetually believe that they can get a piece of the so-called American dream. In the short story, the House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros reveals the theme of illusion vs. reality conflicting with one another through images and the setting of the story.
             We continuously wage war when it comes to dealing with the complexities of life. It is easy to succumb to the illusion or to dream of becoming rich, having a beautiful home and experiencing all of the good things in life. The author brings to light images in the story that exemplifies the recurring need for the main character to escape the hardship of her reality. The images of poverty could be seen as a part of the character's everyday life. "The water pipes broke and the landlord wouldn't fix them because the house was too old...We were using the washroom next door and carrying water over in empty milk cartons (Cisneros p. 122)." Within the confines of destitution, the character lives on the illusion of someday she will have the beautiful home of her own. "They always told us that one day we would move into a house, a real house that would be ours for always so we wouldn't have to move each year. And our house would have running water, and pipes that worked. The character constantly reflects on the illusion, the image of that one lottery ticket could be her chance that someday she will be rescued from the restrictions of deprivation. "This was the house Papa talked about when he held a lottery ticket. Our house would be white with big trees around it. This was the house Mama dreamed up on the stories she told
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