Symbolism Analysis 1-76
Symbolism in: The House on Mango Street Page# 9
Balloons themselves are often associated with childhood memories of happiness and adoration, such as being given a balloon at an amusement park and so on. There is also sometimes the impression that the balloon wishes to be free, to fly away. The addition of the anchor, rather than say a hand holding the balloon, gives the impression that the balloon is being forcefully tied to the ground, rather than being a slightly reluctant visitor there. The combination of these impressions and memories result in an image of something beautiful, wishing desperately to be free but unable to do so. That image is then superimposed onto Esperanza. Esperanza, a remarkable child, desperately wants someone to be free with, someone to confide in, someone to laugh with.
Symbolism in: The House on Mango Street Page# The entire first chapter.
A person's house is supposed to be their home, a place of sanctuary and peace. The house on Mango Street is not such a house. The building is shabby, crumbling, and cramped, without any memories or experiences to soften its rough edges. Because of these factors, from Esperanza's perspective the building resembles a cell more than it does a home. The house also represents fallen dreams, for the building looks nothing like the big white house with a T.V. and three washrooms that Esperanza had been promised.