preview

Living In A Patriarchal Society In Sandra Cisneros's The House On Mango Street

Decent Essays

Living in a Patriarchal Society Would you disrespect a woman? A couple years ago it was a normal thing to do so. In Sandra Cisneros’ Novella, The House on Mango Street, Esperanza lives in a poverty stricken society in which she looks up to a lot of woman. Not for a good reason though, but for their unfavorable circumstances. Esperanza first handaly sees how much all woman in her neighborhood are objectified and at one point experiences it herself. Esperanza has one goal which is to break free from the traditional female role and be autonomous. Three women that made Esperanza realize she can be autonomous are Alicia by going against society and studying, her great grandmother with her unfavorable circumstance, and her mother telling her what is good for her. Let’s begin with Alicia and her influence on Esperanza wanting to be autonomous. Alicia has to take on so many responsibilities since her mother passed away. Going through all of this makes her realize that she doesn’t always want to end up like her mother. She inherited a lot from her mother, but the one that Esperanza that drew more attention to is “Alicia, who inherited her mama’s rolling pin and sleepiness, is young and smart and studied for the first time in the university”(31). Obviously it isn’t easy. Wanting to be autonomous is as Esperanza states Alicia must take “ two trains and a bus, because she doesn't want to spend her whole life in a factory or behind a rolling pin”(31-32). Furthermore, Esperanza sees

Get Access