Introduction
Poverty is a significant theme in Sandra Cisneros' acclaimed novel, The House on Mango Street. Over the course of the vignettes, the young female narrator, Esperanza, chronicles the struggles of her impoverished Latino neighborhood in Chicago. By exploring the daily realities and challenges faced by Esperanza and her neighbors, Cisneros highlights the devastating impact of poverty on a community. This essay will analyze the representations of poverty in The House on Mango Street and demonstrate how Cisneros uses the narrator's perspective to humanize poverty and advocate for change. Examining the effects of poverty on housing, education, and aspirations, this essay argues that Cisneros portrays poverty as a trap that hinders human potential.
"The House on Mango Street" in the Context of 1960s Urban Poverty
Published in 1984, The House on Mango Street reflects Sandra Cisneros' experiences growing up in the Puerto Rican and Mexican community of Chicago in the 1960s. During this time period, urban poverty and racial inequality surged across American inner cities due to declining manufacturing jobs and suburbanization. Statistics show that in 1960, 22% of Americans lived below the poverty line, but that number jumped to 36% for Hispanics. Cisneros illustrates this poverty through the dilapidated housing conditions in Esperanza's neighborhood where families are crowded into run-down tenements lacking basic amenities. The community is also neglected by the city and lacks funding for proper schools and social services. Through this lens, Cisneros advocates for increased awareness and support.
Effects of Poverty on Housing
In The House on Mango Street, one of the major effects of poverty portrayed is substandard housing and homelessness. Cisneros describes the houses with "crumbling bricks" and "small windows" where there are "too many of us/ for the little house" (4). Esperanza moves frequently from rental to rental because her family cannot afford their own home. They even have to leave Mango Street itself when the landlord raises the rent. One vignette focuses on a homeless family who moves from garage to garage, symbolizing the precarious nature of poverty. Through these depictions, Cisneros emphasizes how poverty denies safety, security, and dignity. According to research by the Children's Defense Fund, poor families frequently move due to inability to pay rent, which can inhibit children's development. Esperanza cannot find a true home while trapped in the cycle of poverty.
In addition to unstable housing, Cisneros also portrays poverty as limiting educational opportunities and aspirations. For example, Esperanza's friend Sally is unable to attend college and repeats, "I could've been somebody/ You could have been somebody too" (102). Esperanza's school is also underfunded and lacks adequate teachers, resources, and facilities. Studies confirm that impoverished schools have lower graduation rates and that young people living in poverty are significantly less likely to earn a college degree. Through these examples, Cisneros suggests that poverty severely constrains human potential. However, Esperanza defies these odds through her passion for writing, indicating education can provide a way out of poverty's vicious cycle.
Balancing Realism and Resilience: Addressing Criticisms of Cisneros' Portrayal
Some argue that Cisneros' portrayal is exaggerated or perpetuates negative stereotypes about poor Latino communities. They claim the vignettes focus too much on drugs, gang violence, and teen pregnancy without showing positive aspects of the neighborhood. While parts of the novel do emphasize harsh realities about poverty, Cisneros' ultimate message is that poor people are resilient and capable. Esperanza shows strength and ambition throughout, and the vignettes contain humor, warmth, and community belonging. The House on Mango Street ultimately serves to humanize poor Latino communities and shed light on marginalized experiences. Cisneros gives a voice to people often ignored in literature and society.
Conclusion
The House on Mango Street presents a poignant social commentary on the consequences of urban poverty for Latino communities. As evidenced through the lens of Esperanza's experiences with housing, education, and aspirations, poverty entraps individuals and restricts social mobility. However, Cisneros also portrays poor communities as filled with potential and meaning. Poverty is not an inherent trait but rather a systemic injustice that needs structural reforms. The novel advocates powerfully for increased empathy and advocacy to help alleviate the heavy burden of poverty. Through her vibrant vignettes, Cisneros shows that the poor deserve dignity, respect, and opportunity.
