In Sandra Cisneros’ book, “The House on Mango Street,” she ends up shedding some light on her views on the differences between the way Boys and Girls are raised. It is quite obvious that she believes they are raised differently, (there is plenty of evidence for that,) but the question we have to ask is “does Cisneros think that they SHOULD be raised differently.” If asked that question, I would have to say no, that Sandra Cisneros thinks that Boys and Girls should not be raised differently (a view I agree with.)
A prime example in the book is a girl named Alicia, a girl whose mother has died and inherited the family chores. She is described in the vignette: “Alicia Who Sees Mice” which starts on page 31 “Alicia, whose mama died, is sorry there is no one older to rise and make the lunchbox tortillas. Alicia, who inherited her mama’s rolling pin and sleepiness, is young and smart and studies for the first time at the university.” Since Alicia’s mother died, she has had to take care of the her family since she is the oldest girl. Not only does she do all of this, she is going to university as well. Why does this duty get put on Alicia instead of, say, the father? Because Alicia is a girl, and in society they are raised to be the mothers.
In another part of the book, Esperanza talks about Sally. “...and she married him in another state where it’s legal to get married before eighth grade. She has her husband and her house now, her pillowcases and her plates. She says she is in love, but I think she did it to escape.” If Sally was married before she was in eighth grade, then what happens to the rest of the girls? How could any society say that marrying that early was okay, accept one who raises their girls differently from their boys?
Sandra Cisneros’ book shows that she thinks that Girls and Boys should not be raised differently. The obvious displays of gender inequality in the book say it all.
A prime example in the book is a girl named Alicia, a girl whose mother has died and inherited the family chores. She is described in the vignette: “Alicia Who Sees Mice” which starts on page 31 “Alicia, whose mama died, is sorry there is no one older to rise and make the lunchbox tortillas. Alicia, who inherited her mama’s rolling pin and sleepiness, is young and smart and studies for the first time at the university.” Since Alicia’s mother died, she has had to take care of the her family since she is the oldest girl. Not only does she do all of this, she is going to university as well. Why does this duty get put on Alicia instead of, say, the father? Because Alicia is a girl, and in society they are raised to be the mothers.
In another part of the book, Esperanza talks about Sally. “...and she married him in another state where it’s legal to get married before eighth grade. She has her husband and her house now, her pillowcases and her plates. She says she is in love, but I think she did it to escape.” If Sally was married before she was in eighth grade, then what happens to the rest of the girls? How could any society say that marrying that early was okay, accept one who raises their girls differently from their boys?
Sandra Cisneros’ book shows that she thinks that Girls and Boys should not be raised differently. The obvious displays of gender inequality in the book say it all.
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