The setting describing her new home in Mango Street inflicts a feeling of being cramped and uncomfortable. Its small and red with tight little steps in front and the windows so small youd think they were holding their breath. But even so, its not the house wed thought wed getThe house on Mango street is not the way they told it at all. The house on Mango Street is ours and we dont have to pay rent to anybody. The character and her family moved out of Loomis street to Mango Street, had to face harsh reality of her young impressionable life. The author describes the setting in the story as small, crowded, unappealing to the ones eyes. Regardless of how much we love to be suspended in a dreamlike state, reality always comes crawling back. This was the house Mama dreamed up on the stories she told us before going to bed. Our house would be white with big trees around it. This was the house Papa talked about when he held a lottery ticket. The character constantly reflects on the illusion, the image of that one lottery ticket could be her chance that someday she will be rescued from the restrictions of deprivation. And our house would have running water, and pipes that worked. They always told us that one day we would move into a house, a real house that would be ours for always so we wouldnt have to move each year. Within the confines of destitution, the character lives on the illusion of someday she will have the beautiful home of her own.

The water pipes broke and the landlord wouldnt fix them because the house was too oldWe were using the washroom next door and carrying water over in empty milk cartons (Cisneros p.ġ22). The images of poverty could be seen as a part of the characters everyday life. The author brings to light images in the story that exemplifies the recurring need for the main character to escape the hardship of her reality.

It is easy to succumb to the illusion or to dream of becoming rich, having a beautiful home and experiencing all of the good things in life. We continuously wage war when it comes to dealing with the complexities of life. reality conflicting with one another through images and the setting of the story. In the short story, The house on mango street by Sandra Cisneros reveals the theme of illusion vs. In United States, the American Dream- the dream of success, wealth and power all rolled up into one influences many people especially in the minds of the immigrants who perpetually believe that they can get a piece of the so-called American dream. We are all affected by cultural standards that our own society imposes to us as what is perceive to be normal and acceptable.

The house on mango street short story