CliffsNotes^TM on Cisnero's The House on Mango Street & Woman Hollering Creek and Other Stories

by Mary Patterson Thornburg

• ISBN13: 9780764586538
• ISBN10: 076458653X
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-12-01
• Publisher: Cliffs Notes

Summary

The original CliffsNotes study guides offer expert commentary on major themes, plots, characters, literary devices, and historical background. The latest generation of titles in this series also feature glossaries and visual elements that complement the classic, familiar format. This concise supplement to Cisneros' The House on Mango Street & Woman Hollering Creek & Other Stories helps students delve into both story collections, highlighting the wide, encompassing and vibrant lives of Latinas of all ages, from Mexican villas to the barrios of Chicago, and places in between. This user-friendly guide makes studying a snap with visual icons flagging key themes, literary devices, and more. You'll come to understand the overall structure of the works, actions and motivations of the characters, and the social and cultural perspectives of the author. Features that help you study include A character map, with brief descriptions, and that identifies relationships Summaries and commentaries A survey of the author's life that offers insight into her writing style Descriptive character analyses Critical essays on themes, form, and language A review section that tests your knowledge Classic literature or modern modern-day treasure ' you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.

Author Biography

Mary Patterson Thornburg attended Holy Names College, Spokane, WA, and took her undergraduate degree from Montana State University. She holds the M.A. and the Ph.D. from Ball State Univerrsity, where she taught English until 1998; she lives with her husband, Thomas Thornburg, in Montana.

Table of Contents

Life and Background of the Author	1	(4)
Early Years and Education	2	(1)
Career and Writing	2	(1)
Recognition and Awards	3	(2)
Introduction to Cisneros' Work	5	(9)
Introduction	6	(1)
The House on Mango Street	6	(1)
``Woman Hollering Creek'' and Other Stories	6	(1)
Cisneros' Writing Style	7	(1)
Brief Synopses	7	(3)
The House on Mango Street	7	(2)
``Woman Hollering Creek'' and Other Stories	9	(1)
List of Characters	10	(3)
Character Map: The House on Mango Street	13	(1)
Critical Commentaries: The House on Mango Street	14	(40)
The House on Mango Street; Hairs; Boys & Girls; My Name	15	(4)
Cathy Queen of Cats; Our Good Day; Laughter; Gil's Furniture Bought & Sold; Meme Ortiz; Louie, His Cousin & His Other Cousin	19	(3)
Marin; Those Who Don't; There Was an Old Woman She Had So Many Children She Didn't Know What to Do; Alicia Who Sees Mice	22	(5)
Darius and the Clouds; And Some More; The Family of Little Feet; A Rice Sandwich; Chanclas	27	(5)
Hips; The First Job; Papa Who Wakes Up Tired in the Dark; Born Bad; Elenita, Cards, Palm, Water	32	(5)
Geraldo No Last Name; Edna's Ruthie; The Earl of Tennessee; Sire; Four Skinny Trees	37	(5)
No Speak English; Rafaela Who Drinks Coconut & Papaya Juice on Tuesdays; Sally; Minerva Writes Poems; Bums in the Attic	42	(5)
Beautiful & Cruel; A Smart Cookie; What Sally Said; The Monkey Garden; Red Clowns	47	(4)
Linoleum Roses; The Three Sisters; Alicia & I Talking on Edna's Steps; A House of My Own; Mango Street Says Goodbye Sometimes	51	(3)
Critical Commentaries: ``Woman Hollering Creek'' and Other Stories	54	(25)
My Lucy Friend Who Smells Like Corn: My Lucy Friend Who Smells Like Corn; Eleven; Salvador Late or Early; Mexican Movies; Barbie-Q; `Mericans; Tepeyac	55	(6)
One Holy Night: One Holy Night; My Tocaya	61	(3)
There Was a Man, There Was a Woman---Part One: Woman Hollering Creek; The Marlboro Man; La Fabuloso: A Texas Operetta; Remember the Alamo	64	(4)
There Was a Man, There Was a Woman---Part Two: Never Marry a Mexican; Bread; Eyes of Zapata	68	(5)
There Was a Man, There Was a Woman---Part Three: Anguiano Religious Articles...; Little Miracles, Kept Promises; Los Boxers; There Was a Man, There Was a Woman	73	(3)
There Was a Man, There Was a Woman---Part Four: Tin Tan Tan; Bien Pretty	76	(3)
Character Analyses	79	(9)
Esperanza Cordero (The House on Mango Street)	80	(2)
Marin (The House on Mango Street)	82	(1)
Sally (The House on Mango Street)	82	(1)
Alicia (The House on Mango Street)	83	(1)
``Ixchel'' (``One Holy Night'')	84	(1)
Cleofilas (``Woman Hollering Creek'')	85	(1)
Rosario (Chayo) De Leon (``Little Miracles, Kept Promises'')	86	(2)
Critical Essays	88	(7)
Themes in Cisneros' Fiction	89	(2)
Love as Power	89	(1)
Alienation and Displacement	90	(1)
Individualism versus Cultural Traditions	90	(1)
Form and Language as Characterization in Cisneros' Fiction	91	(4)
CliffsNotes Review	95	(4)
Q&A	95	(1)
Identify the Quote	96	(1)
Essay Questions	97	(1)
Practice Projects	97	(2)
CliffsNotes Resource Center	99	(3)
Books	99	(1)
Internet	100	(1)
Magazines and Journals	101	(1)
Send Us Your Favorite Tips	101	(1)
Index	102