Every person and character has their own perspective, and most people have more than one. In this example, Esperanza is shown with three separate viewpoints: female, young, and Hispanic.
In the book, Esperanza takes a number of different views. One is that of a young girl. She feels that men are more entitled, more powerful, and have easier and better lives. Using a grid layout, show at least three perspectives from the book. It does not have to be from Esperanza’s point of view; there are a number of character sketches. For example: Esperanza’s mother speaks of how she sometimes feels she had wasted her artistic talent.
Esperanza is a Hispanic girl. She feels as though girls are born getting the short end of the stick. She often talks about how men have it easier.
From her name, to the food she eats, to the ways in which Hispanic men find their wives, Esperanza is sure that her life is different from those who are white.
Being young, Esperanza doesn't feel like she has much control over things. She longs to be older and in charge of her own life.
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Student Instructions
Create a storyboard depicting the differentperspectives characters have in The House on Mango Street.
Invite students to share their thoughts on how different characters see the world. Encourage respectful listening and make connections between the characters’ viewpoints and students’ own experiences.
Ask students to find specific quotes or moments in the text that reveal a character’s perspective. Highlighting direct evidence builds analytical reading skills.
Have students create a visual map or chart showing the perspectives of several characters. Use colors, symbols, or images to represent different viewpoints and emotions for a clearer understanding.
Invite students to write a diary entry or letter from a character’s point of view. Fostering empathy and creative thinking helps deepen engagement with the text.
The House on Mango Street explores multiple perspectives, especially through Esperanza as a young, Hispanic girl. The book highlights how gender, age, and cultural background shape each character's view of the world.
Use a grid layout or storyboard to help students identify and compare three distinct perspectives from the book, describing each and illustrating with scenes or character actions.
Esperanza’s mother reflects on feeling she wasted her artistic talent, offering insight into adult regrets and dreams alongside Esperanza’s youthful perspective.
Perspective is crucial because it helps readers understand how characters’ experiences, backgrounds, and identities influence their thoughts and actions, creating a richer narrative.
Effective activities include storyboarding, group discussions, and comparing character viewpoints using charts or illustrations to deepen understanding of point of view.