Though there is more time spent on character development, much of the description Esperanza gives concerns the environment in which she lives from her own home and yard, to the shops she frequents and schools she attends.
Choose from three of the many settings in the book, and illustrate them using a traditional storyboard with description cells and title cells. Put the name of the setting in the title, and give an explanation as to why the setting you have chosen to illustrate is important in the book.
Esperanza explains that outsiders (people not from her neighborhood) are scared to enter. When her neighbor's cousin takes them for a ride, it turns out to be a stolen car. They all have fun, but this might be scary to outsiders.
The local pawn shop is one of the places Esperanza and Nenny sometimes go. One of the most descriptive environments, the book describes the cluttered shop full of "tables with their feet upside down" and "rows and rows of refrigerators."
Much of Esperanza's time is spend at her own house. Her mom, dad, two brothers, and younger sister all live there with her. Her mom is often described as seeming overworked.
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Student Instructions
Create a storyboard depicting three important settings in The House on Mango Street.
Boost student engagement by turning key settings into a scavenger hunt. Assign small groups to find and record details about specific settings as they read. This approach makes students active readers and helps them notice how setting shapes the story.
Give each group a setting (like the house, neighborhood, or school). Ask them to collect descriptive quotes, draw a quick sketch, and explain why their setting matters. This division encourages collaboration and deeper understanding.
Invite each group to present their setting, showing their sketches and sharing quotes. Discuss how each environment affects Esperanza and other characters. This builds speaking skills and helps connect ideas across the novel.
Lead a conversation about why settings matter in the book. Ask guiding questions like, “How does the neighborhood shape Esperanza’s dreams?” or “What feelings do different settings create?” This deepens comprehension and sparks critical thinking.
The main settings in The House on Mango Street include Esperanza's home, the neighborhood streets, and local shops like the pawn shop. Each setting reveals important details about Esperanza’s life and her community.
To help students illustrate settings, have them choose three different locations from the novel, describe each setting’s significance, and create drawings or storyboards that include characters and key items mentioned in the book.
The setting shapes Esperanza’s experiences and identity. It highlights the challenges and culture of her community, making it central to understanding the novel’s themes and character development.
A setting map activity asks students to identify, describe, and visually represent three key locations from the novel. This helps them connect the story’s environment to its characters and plot.
Creative approaches include using storyboards, group illustrations, or digital maps. Encourage students to use quotes and details from the book to make their settings accurate and meaningful.