Cisnero's acclaimed work, The House on Mango Street, explores a variety of themes in his photographic narratives that capture everything from the seemingly mundane triumphs of a little child to the tragedies suffered at the hands of cultural and social prescriptions and finally to the mature introspections of a confused but extremely talented young woman. The short novel is essentially a coming-of-age story, which depicts the defining events of Esperanza's life in the highly stylistic vignettes that form the novel, while maintaining a regular timeline that divides her youthful life and her adult in sections. Say no to plagiarism. . Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay The story begins with a snapshot of Esperanza's house on Mango Street; the house which is considered under the critical gaze of the perceptive child who struggles with the house as a representation of several failures. The first is his parents' failure to deliver the idyllic future they had promised, the future that was to take place in the white-picket-picket suburban dream house they described as they moved apartments in an apartment. However, the house is more often seen as a symbol of the potential failure of never escaping Mango Street and not being able to realize one's dream through one's own agency. If her parents' inability to fulfill her fantasy was disappointing, Esperanza understands the degree of disappointment that awaits her if she is to take responsibility for her own happiness and fail. Thus begins the narrator's struggle to define herself and align her self-perception with the socially dictated identity appropriate to her. Cisnero's choice to open with this piece effectively impresses Esperanza's moment of disillusionment and sets in motion the story of her understanding of the problems and ultimately their resolution. Esperanza's identity crisis is multifaceted, making it even more difficult for her to resolve her internal and external conflicts. One of the many faces of the crisis is the confusion surrounding her cultural role as a woman. She paints the stereotypical portrait of the Mexican woman as physically submissive but psychologically blessed with patience and, more importantly, resilience. For example, she tells the story of her grandparents' union in which her grandmother was literally dragged into marriage and punished her husband by never conforming to a marriage that was never based on egalitarian norms or even on reciprocal affection. Esperanza discovers the subtlety of a woman's strength and decides not to repeat her grandmother's mistakes. Another episode that deals with this role is found in his memories of Sally arriving at school with the faded purple and blue evidence of her father's physical abuse. The beatings inflicted on the girl are explained by her father's alleged concern and desire to protect the girl from danger and dishonor; however, they are the accurate representation of the patriarchal realities that are prevalent in Esperanza's culture. Nevertheless, the story is punctuated with a hopeful, if completely symbolic, undertone: Sally's enduring beauty that is not hidden behind the marks of abuse. The woman's role becomes even more complicated as Esperanza becomes increasingly aware of female sexuality in her culture and the power dynamics that are embodied and perpetuated in sexual interactions. Again, the character of Sally best describes this notion, for example in the chapter where Esperanza describes the old playground that was her childhood playground and the place of inspiration for her).