The novel, The House on Mango Street, by Sandra Cisneros is a novel that
portrays Latino Women in a society that views them as being second-class citizens. This
novel is a great example of diversity. These young women who are growing up in
Chicago are dominated by men and are valued for their looks rather than who they really
are. Cisneros, through the series of stunning vignettes really wants her readers to envision
the obstacles Latino women face in their everyday life. Latino women are not treated
The male characters in this novel view women as being objects. This forces the
girls to grow up in a society where looks and an appealing appearance are the only
important characteristics for women to have. Cisneros describes the main character,
Esperanza as being quite different form the other Latino women. Esperanza is not happy
with the culture and the society that she lives in. She feels that she will break free from
the ties in her lifestyle and that women can be independent.
Appearance of Latino women is an extreme importance to them. These women
believe that if they are not attractive then the men will not want to marry or date them.
Marin is a great example of this belief. She thinks that a great place for a woman to work
is downtown, because they get to look their prettiest downtown.
Women in Cisneros novel are an example of a diversity that is troubling for
women to have. Not only are these women feeling that they need to be beautiful to be
accepted as equals, they are living in an area where Latinos alone are not necessarily
associated with. Chicago is not an area where an individual would indicate to find an
individual who is Latino. This makes it even harder for the women in this novel to live a
Not only do women face the struggle with attractiveness, Cisneros indica
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