The novel “The House on Mango Street” by Sandra Cisneros examines issues of identity, community, and the difficulties of growing up as a young Latina in an underprivileged area of Chicago. Cisneros uses strong language and vivid imagery throughout the book to convey the characters’ complex emotions and to bring their experiences to life.

The pursuit of identity is one of “The House on Mango Street’s” main themes. Esperanza, the main character in the book, is constantly battling to figure out who she is and where she belongs in the world. This is demonstrated by the following quotation:

“I am a red balloon, a balloon tied to an anchor.”