Maturing is a gradual process that children go through which takes many years for them to develop. In The House on Mango Street, girls in the barrios of Chicago like Esperanza have difficulty growing up due to their poverty-stricken circumstances. Sandra Cisneros writes about a girl growing up in hardship all around with a small house, being made fun of at school, even rape, yet the strength of Esperanza shines through 'til the end as …showed first 75 words of 920 total…

…showed last 75 words of 920 total…She sometimes writes about leaving Mango Street. Her friends marry, move away, suffer abuse, and have children. Her family sees deaths and struggles with poverty. In the end Esperanza realizes that, while she may leave Mango Street someday, she will always be obligated to comeback to help those who aren't able to leave. Although at this stage in her life she is still ashamed to admit it, Mango Street is and important part of her.