Poverty in the House on Mango Street Essay Example

What kinds of problems do poor people have? By the time they are very young, most kids have a notion of a potential professional path. Children’s professional ambitions are frequently impacted by the people they interact with on a daily basis, which is why so many young children aspire to be school teachers or doctors. But what about kids who don’t have the opportunity to be around academically successful- or even employed-adults? What sources of academic support do they have? This raises the topic of how great poverty affects a person’s mortality and objectives as they grow up. What it is like to live in poverty, think of living in a shabby apartment, dirty, torn clothes, and the general melancholy mood of the whole home. But can you imagine moving from house to house? And what is your endless promise to your children to live a better life, just to keep hope alive? Over half of the world's population is poor. Isn’t this heartbreaking? The term “poor” has numerous connotations. Many of us associate it with the idea of homeless individuals living on the streets or those living in poverty who are unable to afford meals. Everyone has an opinion, but what exactly is poverty? Is that what the vast majority of us believe? Is poverty just a state of being poor? Sandra Cisneros the author of 

The House on Mango Street tells a story about a family who must move from house to house to survive. Most characters express their feelings about poverty and how difficult it is to be poor and how inequality in society has an impact on their ability to find quality work. Sandra Cisneros explains the lives of those who reside on Mango Street and how they aspire to a better future for themselves. She claims that there is a way to get out. Esperanza and her family have issues with every place they rent from; broken water pipes, to neighbors hitting the ceiling as a reminder to reduce noise. The parents did all possible to assist their children. Mango Street is a dreadful neighborhood that no one should call home. The house in Chicago sits on a decrepit road with sketchy neighbors and is in a racially segregated Latino community. 

From the first chapter forward, poverty is clear. The impoverished are more likely to live in dilapidated housing and being unable to own a home. Esperanza remarked on this, “I knew then I had to have a house. A real house. One I could point to. But this isn’t it. The House on Mango Street isn’t it. But I know how those things go.” (Cisneros, 1984, p. 5). Esperanza’s point of view on owning an actual house sounds like an enticing place to call home. Elegant residences are just a pipe dream for many individuals who cannot purchase them due to financial restraints. Initially, her parents must first fulfill their own needs before they can get the outcome they desire. 

Seemingly, Esperanza recognizes that she is starting from a disadvantage compared to her peers in terms of academic accomplishment for several reasons, including a lack of money for children, lack of motivation and time, and the need for necessities. She feels embarrassed that her family is always on the move for various reasons, many of which are beyond her control. Poverty can put a family’s life under a lot of stress. Previously, they had been forced to leave their home at "Loomis on the third floor” (Cisneros, 1984, p. 4) since their family could not pay for the repairs to their water pipes, and the property owner said, "the house was too ancient" (Cisneros, 1984, p. 4). This proclamation refers to Mango Street being in a sleazy neighborhood and homes to those who are unethical. Esperanza is embarrassed to call the neighborhood "home" because of dishonest people that live there. Her house has a modest garden and small garage that are alongside two buildings. 

Poverty is associated with poor mental health, which is linked to behavioral problems in children. On the point of when Louie’s cousin steals the yellow Cadillac, and Esperanza gets to ride in the car. After he is apprehended and taken to jail by the police officers, Esperanza waves goodbye. This shows that Esperanza is accustomed to wonderful things in her life being taken away from her due to poverty. Poverty is a multifaceted notion with social, economic, and political dimensions. At the moment Esperanza made a remark as she and Sally were speaking at the time, "The area is getting bad," (Cisneros, 1984, p. 4) given that this was a subtly prejudiced statement Esperanza later revealed that she had been forced to leave the neighborhood due to the inflow of individuals of the same racial heritage as her. 

Overcrowding and housing instability are examples of poverty-related living situations. All family ties, including sibling relationships, might suffer as a result. In the act of Esperanza, she took advantage of possibilities to which she was not otherwise entitled. This clarifies why she had misrepresented her residence to the nun and the fact that her residence was a long distance away from the cafeteria, she was authorized to have lunch there. The nuns questioned Esperanza's whereabouts, and she pointed to a row of “ugly-three-flats" (Cisneros, 1984, p. 45) and declared that she "knew it was not my house." (Cisneros, 1984, p. 45) Sister Superior assumes Esperanza lives in deplorable circumstances and is impoverished. 

Poverty is a state or condition in which a person or a group does not have enough money to live. Similarly, Esperanza’s mother bought her new clothes for the party, but not new shoes. This demonstrates that Esperanza’s mother did not have enough money or enough time to buy everything she needed for the party. Esperanza’s shoes represent her longing to be beautiful because her shoes were in bad shape and torn. In view of the fact that Esperanza had to wear her old torn shoes because her mother was unable to replace them since she lacked the financial means to do so. Wearing these shoes to the party reminds her of the challenges of poverty. She is humiliated and dejected as a result. 

Poverty might make it difficult for children to get access to good facilities or make them unable to participate fully in their academics. Alicia is also adamant on how to escape poverty in Mango Street. “Alicia” who inherited her mama’s rolling pin and sleepiness, is young and smart and was studying for the first time at the University. She does not want to spend her whole life working in a factory behind a rolling Pin.” (Cisneros, 1984, pp. 31-32). Esperanza comprehends Sally’s motivation for attending college and how she managed to keep out of poverty. Esperanza becomes aware of Sally’s problems, which allows her to feel attractive and confident. In her imagination, she tries to get out of poverty.  

Sandra Cisneros based her novel The House on Mango Street, on a true story. Sandra’s writing style was particularly distinctive and unforgettable from the perspective of a child. With the help of Esperanza, Sandra Cisneros, and a little girl, she inadvertently shapes her entire life. A viewpoint on politics and the difficulties that face modern society. She is far too young to understand what is going on. Innocent behaviors and experiences have far-reaching political and societal consequences. Esperanza realizes she is just going through the motions of childhood, and she is unconcerned about it. It makes no difference what she does. I can relate to this story because I grew up in poverty. As a result of this, I am not the only one who hears the promises of a better life again and over again, only to have their hopes fall to pieces. The specifics are unclear but speaks in a way that is immediately understandable. It is hope and desire of a child who is slowly learning to comprehend what they want rather than what they don’t want. Taking into account this novel has taught me a lot of important things, one of which jumped out at me particularly. It makes no difference where you begin; your dream may one day become a reality. If you placed in the needed initiative as well as achieved a higher level, you might have the ability to improve your financial situation yet; you must never lose sight of your simple beginnings in life.