KONSTRUKCIJA SUBVERZIVNOG IDENTITETA U ROMANU „KUĆA U ULICI MANGO“ SANDRE SISNEROS

Abstract

This paper explores the formation of female identity through the coming-of-age experience of the protagonist, Esperanza, in Sandra Cisneros’ The House on Mango Street, with a particular focus on Chicana culture and the sense of non-belonging, which is interpreted as a form of subversion. Through introspective and reflective narration, the protagonist shapes her identity in relation to the gender, cultural, and class barriers that surround her, allowing her to break away from traditional frameworks and create a new identity. In this context, non-belonging becomes a space for Esperanza’s self-expression and the beginning of her inner transformation. The protagonist’s inner struggle, her maturation, and her quest for freedom in a world that shapes her are key aspects of her identity development. Thus, Esperanza’s story lays the groundwork for the formation of both feminist and postcolonial resistance through the complex process of identity (de)construction, particularly in the context of hybrid Chicana culture.