The House on Mango Street Summary

A common use for Storyboard That is to help students create a plot diagram of the events from a story. Not only is this a great way to teach the parts of the plot, but it reinforces major events and help students develop greater understanding of literary structures. Sometimes students will really have to think carefully about which events are major turning points in the plot. The House on Mango Street may be a little trickier than others because of the vignette structure of the book.

Students can create a storyboard capturing the narrative arc in a work with a six-cell storyboard containing the major parts of the plot diagram. For each cell, have students create a scene that follows the book in sequence using: Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution.

Example The House on Mango Street Plot Diagram

Exposition

Esperanza and her family move to a one bedroom house on Mango Street in Chicago. While the house is better than the old apartment, it still falls short of her expectations.

Conflict

Esperanza battles with her place in the world. She feels as though she doesn’t fit in and wants to escape Mango Street.

Rising Action

Esperanza wants to leave her neighborhood and desires to grow up. She spends time with Sally, a more worldly girl. She gets a job, and one of the old men there forces her to kiss him.

Climax

Esperanza's friendship with Sally leads to a sexual assault at the carnival.

Falling Action

Esperanza returns her focus to Mango Street and accepts that she belongs there. She rekindles friendships with neighbors and her “less mature” friends.

Resolution

Esperanza wants to be strong and have a place of her own. She wants to become a writer who is dependent on only herself.