Final answer:
Sandra Cisneros addresses the loss of innocence in society through her novel, 'The House on Mango Street.' The theme is intertwined with issues of choice and survival, key elements in the coming-of-age experiences of the protagonist, Esperanza. Cisneros uses her own bicultural struggles to inform her narrative, effectively discussing these concepts through her writing style and personal reflections.
Step-by-step explanation:
Sandra Cisneros' novel The House on Mango Street explores themes of innocence within the framework of society and often juxtaposes these ideas with concepts of choice and survival. Cisneros implies that society often strips away innocence, particularly through the coming-of-age experiences of the protagonist, Esperanza.
These experiences are linked to both choice and survival, as the characters in the novel frequently face situations where difficult decisions must be made, often as a means to endure or escape their circumstances. Cisneros expresses this through her narrative style, mixing vignettes and poetic language that reflect her own struggle for identity in a bicultural environment. Her opinion is further expressed in her memoir A House of My Own: Stories from My Life, where she discusses how her writing was influenced by a desire to escape the constraints imposed by society on her as a Mexican American woman.
The struggle between innocence and experience is a prominent feature of the novel, with young characters often confronting the harsh realities of their environment. Cisneros explores how innocence is not merely lost but is often taken by societal forces such as poverty, gender expectations, and cultural displacement. The connection to choice surfaces as Esperanza, the young protagonist, begins to understand the limitations and expectations placed upon her by society, which in turn shapes her decisions and aspirations. However, survival is also a critical element, as many characters are challenged to overcome or cope with their conditions in order to continue their lives.
Cisneros' expression of her opinions is evident not only through the thematic development in her literature but also through her personal reflections on her upbringing and writing career. The formation of her literary voice, as described in interviews and her memoir, is a testament to her introspective and reflective approach, which is deeply tied to her experiences as a Mexican American. She has discussed how these personal factors influenced her evolution as a writer and the autobiographical elements within her work that echo themes of innocence, choice, and survival.