"Louie, His Cousin, and Other":
* "The house on Mango Street is ... a house that sits on ... four little bare ... feet." (The house is given human-like qualities of "sitting" and having "feet," suggesting its vulnerability and lack of permanence.)
* "It is ... a house ... that ... wants ... to be a house ... more than ... anything in the world." (The house is portrayed as having desires and longing, highlighting the human yearning for stability and belonging.)
Throughout the Book:
* "The windows ... are always watching." (Windows are given the ability to "watch," suggesting a sense of observation and judgment, perhaps reflecting Esperanza's feeling of being watched by her community and the world.)
* "The street ... was alive with the music of ... laughter and ... the smell of ... onions and ... garlic." (The street is described as being "alive" with the sounds and smells of its inhabitants, personifying the bustling energy of the neighborhood.)
* "The city ... sighs ... as the bus ... rolls ... away." (The city is given the human quality of "sighing," suggesting a feeling of weariness or resignation. This might be a reflection of Esperanza's own feelings about the limitations of her current environment.)
Personification and Esperanza's Journey:
Personification in *The House on Mango Street* often reflects Esperanza's own feelings and aspirations. She uses personification to:
* Give voice to her yearning for escape and change: She describes the house as "wanting" to be more than it is, reflecting her own desire for something bigger and better.
* Convey the limitations of her circumstances: She personifies the city as "sighing," suggesting its exhaustion and lack of opportunity, which mirrors Esperanza's own frustrations.
* Express her evolving sense of self and her desire to be heard: The "watching" windows might represent the societal pressures and expectations that she faces, highlighting her struggle to break free from those constraints.
In Conclusion:
Personification in *The House on Mango Street* is a powerful tool that allows Sandra Cisneros to explore the complex relationship between individuals and their environment, the yearning for escape, and the challenges of finding one's voice within a restrictive society.