Often individuals are forced to grow up too quickly because of their surroundings. The House on Mango Street, written by Sandra Cisneros, is an excellent example of how a society has the ability to directly impact young lives, in turn creating necessary "rites of passage." Through her environment, Esperanza, one of the many girls living on Mango Street, learns how to survive in a world full the unknown. Some may believe that the setting for this novel has no bearing on young Esperanza; however, Esperanza's character and transition into adulthood are dramatically defined by her own surroundings and neighborhood.

Before the reader even begins the book, he is alerted by the title that environment is a major factor in Esperanza's development. Though rented and more spacious than her old house, her new home is run down and in poor condition. "But the house on Mango Street is not...