Compare Across Texts
Compare Universal Themes
“American Names” and “The House on Mango Street” tell about people trying to relate to the world around them. What is the connection between their themes?
How It Works
Collect and Organize Ideas You can use a chart to help you compare ideas across these two texts. What questions might help you compare?
| Question | “American Names” | “The House on Mango Street” |
|---|---|---|
| 1. What situation bothers each narrator? | Arturo is trying to fit in at school. His teacher calls him “Arthur.” | Esperanza has moved many times. She would like a place of her own in which to feel at home. |
| 2. What decisions do the narrators make? |
Practice Together
Study and Summarize Ideas Compare the answers for question 1, then summarize. Think about ways the texts are alike.
Try It!
Copy this chart to collect answers for question 2. Summarize them. You can use this frame to help you express your comparison.
The narrators of “American Names” and “The House on Mango Street” want to feel ______. Arturo agrees to the new name at first, then realizes ______. Esperanza cannot ______, but she can use her mind. To feel more free, she ______. Both narrators deal with their situations by ______.