Farewell To Manzanar

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“House” and “home” carry different symbolism and meaning in the novels House on Mango Street and Farewell to Manzanar. Although the denotation is the same, the connotation of each word means something different to each respective narrator. Esperanza talks about her family’s house on Mango Street and what kind of house she would want. However, Jeanne in Farewell to Manzanar, realizes that Manzanar is her home for the time being while her family is incarcerated. In Cisneros’ House on Mango Street and Wakatsuki-Houston’s Farewell to Manzanar, both authors use “house” and “home” purposely to describe the setting and show how significant it is to the narrator. Ultimately, these words help shape the identity of Jeanne and Esperanza.
The idea of “house” …show more content…
A house is nothing but a materialistic structure- something that will protect us from the bright sun or a bad storm. A home on the other hand, is where your true happiness lies- something more meaningful. It is somewhere you truly feel happy, comfortable, and belong. The happiness and comfort doesn’t necessarily mean you live in a big house, it lies on the people that make you the happiest. At the end of both novels, both Esperanza and Jeanne realize the true meaning of house and home. Esperanza says, "I put it down on paper and then the ghost does not ache so much. I write it down and Mango says goodbye sometimes. She does not hold me with both arms. She sets me free. One day I will pack my bags of books and paper. One day I will say goodbye to Mango. I am too strong for her to keep me here forever. One day I will go away" (Cisneros pg. 110). Esperanza realizes that although she will move out, she will always return for those who are not able to. In Farewell to Manzanar, Jeanne thinks to herself, “It was so simple, watching her, to see why everything that had happened to me since we left camp referred back to it, in one way or another” (Watsasuki-Houston p. 176). It is at this moment where Jeanne realizes that Manzanar has shaped her to the person she is today. She cannot deny the fact that Manzanar will always have a special meaning to her and will continue to have an impact on herself as well as …show more content…
They realize that no matter how bad a situation is, as long as you are with people who make you the happiest, you will get through anything. At the end of the novel, Esperanza accepts Mango Street and realizes she belonged there all along. In Farewell to Manzanar, Jeanne realizes after years of escaping the camp, she will always have a special connection to it. She realizes that it made such a huge impact on her and always will. All in all, both characters, accept that their “home” is what makes them the person they are today and they will forever be grateful and proud for
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