Joseph Antonios
English 1109 at 10:30, M-W
09/21/20
Response Exercise
In the House on Mango Street, the chapter that I related to the most was the first chapter, The House on Mango Street. This passage allowed me to relate to Esperanza and her family situation where she was always moving from apartment to apartment and wasn't able to call home.
This chapter was introducing Esperanza and how she lived in various amounts of apartments and the reasons why she had to move. Esperanza's parents had always told her that one day they would live in a home all to themselves and that the place they had moved to previously was only temporary. (Cisneros, 5). In the first sentence in the chapter, Esperanza states all of the places she had moved into and what she remembers about them. "We didn't always live on Mango Street. Before that, we lived on Loomis on the third floor, and before that we lived on Keeler. Before Keeler it was Paulina, and before that I can't remember. But what I remember most is moving a lot." (Cisneros, 3) This quote is the reason I relate to Esperanza after my parents divorced when I was in sixth grade I haven't settled down at a permanent home. For the last seven years, I have been jumping around place to place in six different apartments just to make ends meet. When Esperanza says "But what I remember most is moving a lot." (Cisneros, 3). When I look back on the last seven years of my life, a lot of it is a blur. The stress of always looking for a new place year after year was stressful and it was hard to stay relaxed in the place we were staying, which is why the memories of moving days are so vivid in my mind. Although I haven't moved into a permanent home as Esperanza did, I'm hopeful for the future because things have been definitely getting better and I believe that someday my family and I will have a place to call home once and for all.
 |
| This horse right here was a gift from my Dad when he traveled back from his hometown in Lebanon. He brought this back for me so that I always have something to look at that represents my family heritage. I will never sell this souvenir or give it away, its meaning is beyond its tangible value, and looking at it humbles me and makes me appreciative of what I have. |
It seems like lot of people can relate to the first chapter since they have been moving around ever since they were young. I think it's important to have a steady home when they grow up, or if they move try to still live in the same area. It's hard on kids but sometimes its not an option. That's a really cool item that your dad brought back from Lebanon. It's pretty tragic the big explosion that just happened in Beirut a month ago. I'm glad you treasure this item and make sure you represent your family well.
ReplyDeleteWow it seems like we really relate to the theme of chapter one and the scenes, I also have moved around all types of cities around ohio it wass very tough for me growing up since I never got to stick with a friend group. I hope one day you find the home you are looking for. I know its tough now but once you finally get it you are going to love it. And wow I think that is so cool your dad gave you that from Lebanon! Was your dad born there or is that where his side of family is from?
ReplyDeleteThank you for your response and kind words! It definitely can be tough to always be moving friend groups, and yes my dad was born in Lebanon I have visited before but its been awhile and I hope to go back soon.
Delete