Esperanza Cordero writes vignettes of her life about her experiences growing up in Chicago in the 1960’s. The House on Mango Street‘s title structure represents her feeling of unbelonging while growing up in a house surrounded by toxic people as well as people who teach her life lessons.

Cordero emphasizes the negative events and people she encounters growing up. She feels as if she doesn’t belong on Mango Street, but this house shapes where she comes from.

A recurring moral in the story is Cordero remembering where she originated. She faces the questions of who she is, where she comes from and how that affects who she becomes.

As a person who had not-so-enjoyable childhood in Chicago, I can definitely make connections to Cordero’s struggles, but coming out of somewhere that isn’t the best makes one’s future look promising compared to the current situation.
The House on Mango Street is an enjoyable and short novel that displays the struggles of growing up when you like you don’t belong.