Leaving Like A Man: Gender's Role In "The House On Mango Street"

In her book The House on Mango Street, Sandra Cisneros demonstrates the obstacles facing women in Esperanza's culture, and the ways in which they affect Esperanza. Many females in Mango Street are dependent on men to escape Mango Street with only a few exceptions. Although Esperanza grows up in that community, she is able to overcome the limitations of her gender and emerges as a strong and independent young woman. Esperanza's role models such as …

…a proud, powerful, self-dependent woman. She will escape. "Mango says goodbye sometimes. She does not hold me with both arms, she sets me free...one day I'll say goodbye to Mango. I am too strong for her to keep me forever."(110) Esperanza's newfound strength will break her from the chains of social status and gender discrimination, Esperanza will not leave forever and not look back, she will return as a positive influence, free and inspired.