Assignment: Please discuss one of the following questions clearly and concisely, focusing your discussion on a single theme or idea. Devote equal space to each question. (at least 1 1/2 typed, double-spaced pages total)

1. Cisneros, The House on Mango Street (read to pg. 62, "Elenita, Cards, Palm, Water")

Like the Brown Buffalo, the narrator of The House on Mango Street asks herself, "Who am I?" and "Where do I come from?" Unlike Acosta, who seems mostly to wander aimlessly throughout most of his story, Esperanza seems to have a clear idea of where she wants to go. What sort of life does Esperanza envision for herself? What does she see in her future? How does she envision her future life to be different than her present one? How will her life differ from those of her family and ancestors? How does Esperanza's attitudes about her familial and cultural past differ from Acosta's? Discuss Esperanza's outlook on the future in relation to her and her family's past and/or present.

2. Richard Rodriguez, Days of Obligation (Read Chapter 3)
In this chapter, the Chicano gets to talk back to the Mexican, and in a curious way, Rodriguez characterizes the Chicano as the "child" who talks back to "mother" Mexico. What sort of relationship does the parent and offspring have, according to Rodriguez? What kind of mother is Mexico? Is she loving? Is she truly nurturing of her children? What does she want, if anything, in return? What about the child? Is the child a loving child? Does the child respect her mother? Resent her mother? What ultimately is the child’s link with her parent once the child "moves out" beyond Mexico? Discuss the parent-child relationship between Mexico and the Chicano in "Mexico’s Children."