Capturing the Realities of Space and Culture: An Exploration of Landscape in The House on Mango Street and Woman Hollering Creek

Author

Leanna C. Mendiola, Texas A&M International UniversityFollow

Publication Date

Spring 5-1-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in English (MA)

Department

English

Committee Chair

Dr. Zachary Hernandez

Committee Member

Dr. Nathaniel Racine

Committee Member

Dr. Sharity Nelson

Committee Member

Dr. Bernice Sanchez

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Capturing the Realities of Space and Culture: An Exploration of Landscape in The House on Mango Street and Woman Hollering Creek (May 2025)

Leanna Carmela Mendiola, B.A., Texas A&M International University; Chair of Committee: Dr. Zachary Hernandez

This thesis explores Sandra Cisneros’s The House on Mango Street and Woman Hollering Creek. Cisneros’s books explore the landscape and culture around her characters as readers piece together the experiences of women. The two novels use architectural elements to examine each book’s protagonists’ community and culture. The thesis argues that Cisneros employs space and place to underscore empowerment and the characters’ journeys toward self-discovery. Chapter one, “Bird’s Eye View of Mango Street’s Architecture and Identity,” analyzes how architectural structures embedded within the landscapes and historical context reveal the cultural identity of community through generational stories. This chapter further examine how man-made landscape directly mirror women’s domestic lives. Chapter two, “Cultural Identity in Woman Hollering Creek,” underscores the strength and resilience required for women in Mexican American communities to overcome patriarchal culture norms. Specifically, the chapter’s analysis will explore how Cisneros uses water in Woman Hollering Creek to symbolize women’s struggles and triumphs, revealing the significant role of water within the landscape and character’s lives.

Recommended Citation

Mendiola, Leanna C., "Capturing the Realities of Space and Culture: An Exploration of Landscape in The House on Mango Street and Woman Hollering Creek" (2025). Theses and Dissertations. 213.
https://rio.tamiu.edu/etds/213