The House on Mango Street
“Hairs”
Chapter 2 pages 6 & 7
Writing Situation:
In the vignette “Hairs,” Sandra Cisneros reveals a lot about the narrator’s family through a discussion
of one physical trait: hair. Her first paragraph describes the hair of the narrator’s father and the hair
of her siblings, using those descriptions to give the reader insight into each of their personalities.
Cisneros also reveals the narrator’s feelings towards her mother in the passage, using a variety of
stylistic devices to achieve this effect.
Think about the people in your own family, the characteristics you share with them and those that
make them (and you) distinctive. Decide which physical trait you would like to write about. Is the
trait one you share with your family or yours alone? How might you present your piece Cisneros did
with metaphors, similes, personification, alliteration, repetition and sensory details?
Journal #2 Writing Directions:
Using “Hairs” as a model, write a vignette about your own life that discusses an important physical
trait and how it reveals something about the person who possesses it and your relationship to
him/her. You may choose to discuss a trait that all of you share, or one that makes a particular family
member—or you—stand out from the others because it is different. You must incorporate at least
four stylistic devices (simile, metaphor, personification, alliteration, repetition, or sensory details) in
your vignette. You must use at least one purposeful fragment.
Mrs. Whiddon’s Vignette:
My family. There are six of us, Daddy, Momma, Geno, Sheila, Sandy, and me. We are a varied
bouquet. Each member is a different species of flowers. My dad stands tall and strong like a
sunflower. The sunflower reaches and grows toward the sun; he reaches for a bright a future for the
family by working hard and teaching valuable lessons. Momma though. She is an old-fashioned rose
with ruffly edges and a sweet scent. My mother is prim and proper, never leaves the house without
rosy cheeks and red lips. Even her house coat has ruffles. Like every rose, she has thorns. Her words
can cut, especially when I disappoint her. My brother, Geno, is a cactus. He is prickly and mean. I
know to stay away from him. Sheila is an untamed weed. She doesn’t do her homework, doesn’t do
her chores, doesn’t follow the rules. Yet, she thrives. Sandy is dandelion appearing to be so beautiful
with the puffy white ball. However, she leave a trail. Clothes, toys, food…This bouquet, though
random and assorted, is practically perfect in every way.
“Boys & Girls”
Chapter 3~pages 8 &9
Explain the significance of the following quotes in your spiral. Label “Boys & Girls.”
1. “The boys and girls live in separate worlds.”
2. “Until then I am a red balloon, a balloon tied to an anchor.”
Commented [WS1]: Purposeful fragment
Commented [WS2]: metaphor
Commented [WS3]: alliteration
Commented [WS4]: simile
Commented [WS5]: alliteration
Commented [WS6]: metaphor
Commented [WS7]: alliteration
Commented [WS8]: personification
Commented [WS9]: metaphor
Commented [WS10]: metaphor
Commented [WS11]: alliteration