The House on Mango Street Overview

Moving History

• The narrator has moved frequently, living on Loomis, Keeler, and Paulina before settling on Mango Street.
• Each move coincided with an increase in family size, reaching six members upon arrival at Mango Street.

Homeownership and Independence

• The family owns the house on Mango Street, allowing them to avoid rental conditions such as sharing a yard or dealing with a landlord.
• Despite ownership, the house does not match the idealized expectations set by parents.

Circumstances of the Move

• The move to Mango Street was necessitated by the breaking of water pipes in the previous residence, which the landlord refused to repair.
• The family had to use a neighbor's washroom and transport water in milk gallons during the transition.

Dream House vs. Reality

• The family's dream house was envisioned as spacious, with features like running water, multiple washrooms, and a large yard.
• Their actual house on Mango Street is described as small, red, with limited amenities, and uncomfortable living conditions.

Physical Description of the House

• The residence has tight steps, small windows, crumbling bricks, and a swollen front door that is hard to open.
• No front yard exists; only four elms are planted at the curb, leading to a small garage and yard that are squeezed between two buildings.

Living Arrangements

• The family shares bedrooms: parents in one, brothers in another, and the narrator with her sister Nenny.
• One washroom is available for the entire family, leading to a lack of privacy.

Societal Perceptions

• A nun’s reaction to the narrator’s living situation highlights societal judgment associated with their humble home.
• The narrator feels embarrassed and diminished by the nun's incredulity about living in their cramped third-floor apartment.

Emotional Resilience

• Despite the discouraging reality of their new home, the narrator clings to the hope of eventually finding a "real" house, seen as a symbol of stability and belonging.
• The family's situation is perceived as temporary by both parents, but the narrator understands that "temporary" can become enduring.