Similes in the house on mango street – Similes in “The House on Mango Street” by Sandra Cisneros serve as a vibrant literary device, enhancing the narrative with vivid imagery and profound insights into the characters and their surroundings. This analysis delves into the significance of similes within the novel, exploring their role in characterization, setting, symbolism, and figurative language.

Similes in The House on Mango Street

Similes are a type of figurative language that compare two things using the words “like” or “as.” They are often used to create vivid images and make writing more descriptive and engaging. In The House on Mango Street, Sandra Cisneros uses similes extensively to enhance the narrative and develop the characters and setting.

Similes help readers visualize the experiences and emotions of the characters. For example, when Esperanza describes her house as “small as a shoebox,” the simile conveys her feelings of crampedness and insignificance.

Examples of Similes in The House on Mango Street

Simile	Page Number	Speaker	Effect
“The house on Mango Street is small as a shoebox.”	3	Esperanza	Conveys Esperanza’s feelings of crampedness and insignificance.
“My mother’s hair is like licorice.”	6	Esperanza	Compares her mother’s hair to licorice, emphasizing its dark, glossy appearance.
“The old man’s eyes are like two raisins.”	12	Esperanza	Compares the old man’s eyes to raisins, suggesting their small, dark, and wrinkled appearance.
“The trees are like old women.”	23	Esperanza	Compares the trees to old women, emphasizing their tall, slender, and wise appearance.
“The moon is like a silver coin.”	30	Esperanza	Compares the moon to a silver coin, highlighting its round, shiny appearance.

Similes and Characterization

Cisneros uses similes to develop and characterize Esperanza and other characters in the novel. For example, the simile “My mother’s hair is like licorice” suggests that Esperanza’s mother is strong and resilient, like licorice candy.

Another example is the simile “The old man’s eyes are like two raisins.” This simile suggests that the old man is wise and experienced, like a raisin that has been dried and preserved.

Similes and Setting

Similes also help to describe and create a sense of place in The House on Mango Street. For example, the simile “The trees are like old women” suggests that the neighborhood is old and established, like the trees that have been growing there for many years.

Another example is the simile “The moon is like a silver coin.” This simile suggests that the neighborhood is poor, like a silver coin that has been worn and tarnished.

Similes and Symbolism

Similes can also be used to create and reinforce symbols in a literary work. For example, the simile “My mother’s hair is like licorice” can be seen as a symbol of her strength and resilience.

Another example is the simile “The moon is like a silver coin.” This simile can be seen as a symbol of the neighborhood’s poverty.

Similes and Figurative Language, Similes in the house on mango street

Similes are just one type of figurative language used in The House on Mango Street. Other types of figurative language include metaphors, personification, and hyperbole.

Metaphors are similar to similes, but they do not use the words “like” or “as.” Instead, they directly compare two things. For example, the metaphor “My mother’s hair is licorice” directly compares her hair to licorice.

Personification is a type of figurative language that gives human qualities to nonhuman things. For example, the personification “The trees are like old women” gives human qualities to the trees.

Hyperbole is a type of figurative language that exaggerates something for emphasis. For example, the hyperbole “The house on Mango Street is as small as a shoebox” exaggerates the size of the house.

All of these types of figurative language help to make The House on Mango Street a rich and engaging read.

Essential Questionnaire: Similes In The House On Mango Street

What is the significance of similes in “The House on Mango Street”?

Similes in the novel enhance the narrative by providing vivid imagery, developing characters, creating a sense of place, and reinforcing symbolic meanings.

How do similes contribute to characterization in the novel?

Similes reveal the inner thoughts, emotions, and experiences of characters, providing insights into their personalities and motivations.

In what ways do similes create a sense of place in “The House on Mango Street”?

Similes evoke the sights, sounds, and smells of the neighborhood, immersing the reader in the novel’s setting and enhancing its authenticity.