What Does Hair Symbolize In The House On Mango Street

**PPT Sandra Cisneros PowerPoint Presentation ID323701**

Table of Contents:

Introduction
Symbolism of Hair in The House on Mango Street
Hair as a Symbol of Identity
Hair as a Symbol of Culture
Hair as a Symbol of Gender
Hair as a Symbol of Power
Hair as a Symbol of Social Class
Hair Care Tips
FAQs
Conclusion

Introduction

The House on Mango Street, written by Sandra Cisneros, is a coming-of-age novel that explores the life of a young Latina girl growing up in a poor neighborhood in Chicago. Throughout the novel, hair is used as a symbol to represent various aspects of the characters' identity, culture, gender, and social class. This article will explore the symbolism of hair in The House on Mango Street and provide tips on how to care for your hair.

Symbolism of Hair in The House on Mango Street

In The House on Mango Street, hair is used as a powerful symbol to represent different aspects of the characters' lives. Here are some of the ways hair is used as a symbol:

Hair as a Symbol of Identity

Hair is often used to represent a character's identity. For example, Esperanza, the protagonist, describes her own hair as "lazy" and "sleepy," which reflects her personality as a dreamer who is not motivated to put in the effort to improve her life. On the other hand, her friend Sally's hair is described as "shiny black" and "perfectly straight," which reflects her desire to fit in with mainstream American culture.

Hair as a Symbol of Culture

Hair is also used to represent a character's culture. In The House on Mango Street, Esperanza describes the different hairstyles of the women in her neighborhood, such as braids and buns, which reflect their Mexican heritage. She also notes that some women in the neighborhood, such as her Aunt Lupe, have lost their hair due to illness, which symbolizes the loss of their cultural identity.

Hair as a Symbol of Gender

Hair is often used to represent a character's gender. For example, Esperanza notes that the boys in her neighborhood have short hair and wear baseball caps, while the girls have long hair and wear ribbons and bows. This symbolizes the traditional gender roles that exist in the community, where boys are expected to be tough and masculine, while girls are expected to be feminine and nurturing.

Hair as a Symbol of Power

Hair is also used to represent power dynamics in the community. For example, Esperanza notes that the "beautiful and cruel" girls in her school have "wavy hair like a river," which symbolizes their power and control over others. On the other hand, Esperanza's mother, who has "hair like candy," is powerless and trapped in an unhappy marriage.

Hair as a Symbol of Social Class

Hair is often used to represent a character's social class. In The House on Mango Street, Esperanza notes that the women in her neighborhood who have money can afford to go to the beauty parlor and get their hair done, while those who are poor have to do their own hair or go to a cheap salon. This symbolizes the economic inequality that exists in the community.

Hair Care Tips

Whether your hair is a symbol of your identity, culture, gender, power, or social class, it's important to take good care of it. Here are some tips:

Wash your hair regularly with a gentle shampoo
Use a conditioner to keep your hair soft and hydrated
Avoid using hot tools like curling irons and straighteners, which can damage your hair
Get regular trims to prevent split ends
Eat a healthy diet that includes plenty of protein, which is essential for healthy hair

FAQs