Prompt 01
Essay task
AP LiteratureCommon Core ElaIB Language & Literature
In The House on Mango Street, Sandra Cisneros explores the motif of "the house" as both a physical space and a significant symbol of identity, belonging, and aspiration. Write a well-developed argumentative essay where you argue how Esperanza's changing relationship with the concept of "home" mirrors her larger journey toward self-definition and independence. Use at least three specific vignettes from the novel to bolster your argument, examining Cisneros's use of literary techniques like imagery, symbolism, and narrative voice.
Guiding Questions to Consider
- How does the house on Mango Street initially fail to meet Esperanza's dreams?
- In what ways do other women in the novel — such as Marin, Sally, or Mamacita — act as cautionary figures or foils that influence Esperanza's understanding of home and freedom?
- How does Esperanza's wish to leave Mango Street coexist with her sense of obligation to return?
Requirements
- Clear, arguable thesis statement
- Textual evidence from a minimum of three vignettes
- Analysis of at least two literary devices
- Formal essay structure (introduction, body paragraphs, conclusion)
- MLA or teacher-specified citation format