Which vignette from “The House on Mango Street” surprised you in some way, and why?
The vignette that surprised me the most was My Name. In this short story the narrator Esperanza goes into depth on why she dislikes her name, the struggles that come with a Hispanic name in an primarily English speaking country, and the meanings behind it. I was surprised by this vignette because I was under the impression that this novel was a memoir. It wasn’t until I learned the main character’s name (differing from Sandra Cisnero’s own name) that I realized that this was a work of fiction. Sandra’s writings are personal and come from a deep place within herself, giving the sense that she’s writing about herself even when she isn’t.
Which vignette intrigued you and why?
Our Good Day was the vignette that intrigued me the most. I liked seeing the interaction between Esperanza and the other kids in her neighborhood. The short story made me feel nostalgic about being a child. And how easy it was to make friends back then. Back when I would just walk up to a kid on the playground and ask “Hey, Do you want to be friends?” Now, as an adult it is much harder to make friends. There is anxiety around being vulnerable and the possibility of being rejected.
Which vignette puzzled you and why?
The Vignette that puzzled me the most was Louie, His Cousin, And His Other Cousin. In this story Louie’s cousin picks Esperanza up for a ride along with a few other friends. I was puzzled by this novel because I could not understand why Louie was being chased by the police. After reading the story over again I realized Louie was probably driving a stolen Cadillac since the cousin never answers the question of where he got the car when asked.
4 thoughts on “Patricia Jackson Week 14 Discussion Board”
Patricia, thanks for starting off the discussion. I love your choice of vignettes and the reasons you give for liking them. I always smile when I read the “Louis, His Cousin . . .” because it’s so funny and yet pretty sad at the end as poor Louis, who loves to have fun and share with those he loves, gets hauled away by the police. Some of the vignettes do make me nostalgic for childhood, but a lot of them make me feel glad that those years are over.
Very interesting and your insight was fascinating! [My Name] really showcased an important aspect of Cisnero’s writing: her ability to create fiction that feels very personal and real. And your connection to “Our Good Day” resonates deeply. Cisneros captures the simplicity and joy of childhood friendships that many of us long for even into adulthood. It was beautiful in this story to see children form bonds so easily, free from the complexities of adult relationships. I can’t leave a very good comment, but through the author’s and your opinions, I realized once again how literature can evoke diverse reactions and interpretations.
I was captivated by your perspective. displayed Cisnero’s talent for writing very intimate and authentic fiction, which is a key component of her work. Your association with “Our Good Day” is very moving. Cisneros encapsulates the pure delight and ease of childhood friendships, which a great many of us continue to yearn for as we grow older. The simplicity with which the children in this narrative formed attachments, unencumbered by the complications of adult relationships, was touching. Even if my remark isn’t particularly well-crafted, reading both the author’s and your thoughts on the matter has brought home to me how literature has the power to inspire varied responses and understandings.
Hi Patricia Jackson, It also took me by surprise after learning that “The House on Mango Street” written by Sandra Cisnero were not real events but a work of fiction. However, I do think and it is also believed that some events were inspired by her own childhood. However, vignette such as “My Name” were the narrator finds it difficult to accept her birth name because it is different than others are problems faced my most immigrants. which is why it is difficult to decide if it really happened or not.