House on Mango Street Lesson Plan

What conclusions can you draw based on Esperanza’s observations of the immigrant experience?

Students may have various observations to share in response to this question. One observation Esperanza makes more than once is that immigrants who do not speak English are powerless. Specifically, Mamacita and Geraldo are nearly nameless figures who lack the power to make connections and build a strong, fulfilling life. Esperanza also mentions that her father, when he first arrived in the United States, could only ask for “hamandeggs.” She makes a point of saying he no longer eats ham and eggs because he has learned English and moved away from the days of being a new, powerless...