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Sandra Cisneros was born into a family of seven in the midst of a poverty stricken neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois. The daughter of Chicana mother Elvira Cordero Anguian and Mexican father Alfredo Cisneros de Moral, Cisneros spent time traveling back and forth between impoverished areas of Chicago and the ghettos of Mexico City (Ganz, 1994, pg.20).
Border Crossings -
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When reading the works of Cisneros, it is apparent that her dichotic childhood experiences had an effect on her fiction. Aspects of her upbringing are apparent in poems such as “His Story” wherein she explores the plight of feminism in a masculine society and family.
"His Story"
“An unlucky fate is mine to be born woman in a family of men." -
Cisneros was constantly uprooted throughout her childhood, making it difficult for her to establish friendships or continuity in education. She was an introverted and shy child, allowing opportunity for observation and reflection in the young literary's mind. In an interview, Cisneros explained that it was her mother who encouraged her to explore literature and engage intellectually in the life around her (Ganz, 1994, pg. 22). <a href='http://www.jstor.org/stable/467785' >Border Crossings
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In 1966, Cisneros' parents managed to save enough money for a down payment on a house. When the Cisneros family settled into a Puerto Rican neighborhood in Chicago, it marked an important moment in the life of the young writer, as "it placed [her] in a neighborhood a real one, with plenty of friends and neighbors that would evolve into the eccentric characters in "The House on Mango Street" (Binder qtd. in Ganz, pg, 23).
Border Crossings -
Though Cisneros' father showed an obvious favoritism for her 6 older brothers, his attitude on intellect was anything but male dominant. In an interview, Cineros explained that he encouraged all of his children to, "use this' tapping his head, 'not this' showing us those hands" (Gale). Gale Cengage Learning
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In this video clip, Cisneros is interviewed about some of the aspects of her early life and the roles that education, reading and writing played during her childhood. Early Life
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Cisneros was always an avid reader, but it wasn't until her high school years that she began experimenting with writing and poetry. During her tenth grade year, Cisneros received encouragement from one of her teachers to work on the school's literary magazine, of which she eventually became editor. Literature of American Minorities
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Cisneros graduated from Loyla University in 1976 with a BA in English. It was during her enrollment in a creative writing class that she rekindled her love for writing and the poetic expression of the elements that composed her.
Modern American Poetry -
A professor's encouragement led to Cisneros' acceptance into the Master's Program at Iowa Writer's Workshop in 1976. This new environment greatly contrasted that of the Puerto Rican neighborhoods in Chicago, leaving Cisneros feeling unwelcome and unheard. "The move forced me to deal with my 'otherness' for the first time--my race and class difference, and to develop, at long last a feminist consciousness" (Binder qtd. in Calderon, pg. 17).
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Below is a link to the article that recants an interview with Sandra Cisneros.
Narratives of Greater Mexico The following is a link to a radio interview clip wherein Cisneros speaks about her experience in the Iowa Writer's Workshop. On the Iowa Writer's Workshop -
Cisneros explained that it was during her studies at the Iowa Writer's Workshop that she felt compelled to assert herself as an author, regardless of the admonishment that she received in school (Juffer). In a defiantly "anti"-academic voice, "The House on Mango Street" asserted Cisneros as an author.
Modern American Poetry
<a href='http://youtu.be/nXO8a6HYttw' >Interview on Inspiration for "Mango" -
Cisneros won the National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship, which she used to travel to Europe and begin work on "The House on Mango Street." The emergence of this book was a significant and pivotal moment in the career of the budding writer. Though she had published a few works that pivotal "Mango", none have received such praise in both societal and academic realms.
"Career and Writing" -
In 1985, Cisneros was honored with the American Book Award for her work, "The House on Mango Street."
See Section "1985" -
In 1991, Cisneros published a collection of short stories entitled, "Woman Hollering Creek." The book is composed of 25 short stories, all of which are poetic and original; true to her style as a Mexican-American author. The following link is a clip to Cisneros' reading of the story "Eleven" from her book.
A reading of "Eleven" from "Woman Hollering Creek" -
The third major work in the author's extensive bibliography is entitled "My Wicked, Wicked Ways." This volume of poems solidifies Cisneros as a feminist author, delving deeper into sexuality and the stigmas that accompany women living in a man's world. The following link is a review of some of the book's contents. Book Review of "My Wicked, Wicked Ways"
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Shortly after "My Wicked, Wicked Ways" hit the shelves, Cisneros' name and works were continuing to gain wide recognition. Each work of Cisneros' explores a different element of her writing and a different element of herself. This link contains information on the volume of poetry, "Loose Woman." Info on Publication of "Loose Woman" Link to Poem "Loose Woman"
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Unlike some of her previous major works, "Caramelo" is a novel rather than a collection of poetry. Still true to her roots as a Chicana author, Cisneros illustrates the story of a Mexican-American family and their encounters with life, humor and everything in between. Info on "Caramelo"
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An illustrated "fable" for adults, "Have You Seen Marie?" is Cinseros' most recent work. More information on the book is heard straight from the mouth of the author. Click the following link to help Cisneros find Marie... "Have You Seen Marie" Video
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The works of Cisneros continue to resonate with readers of all ages, and the life that arranged those words remains equally captivating. To access more information on the life and works of Sandra Cisneros, please click on this link to be directed to her website.
