PLOT AND CONFLICT
Throughout the excerpt, the Toro family struggles with this primary conflict regarding their country of origin.
What is their inability to return to Panamá for a visit? (Paragraphs 4–6, 10, 23)
When Mayor tries to figure out his identity, he notes that he feels more of this than Panamanian, even though kids at school debate it.
What is American? (Paragraph 3)
This expressive family member constantly finds ways to bring up Panamá, whether complaining about mosquito bites or looking at a bridge.
Who is Celia (Mayor's mother)? (Paragraphs 9, 21, 22)
In paragraph 1, Enrique does this action, which means to think or talk about pleasant past experiences.
What is reminisce? (Paragraph 1)
This punctuation mark, consisting of three spaced dots (. . .), is used to show omitted words or trailing thoughts. LOOK ON PAGE 189
What is an ellipsis? (Paragraph 19)
Less than two weeks before the Toros' second planned trip, this major national tragedy stops them from traveling.
What are the September 11 terrorist attacks? (Paragraph 23)
In paragraph 4, the narrator reveals this theme about relocation when explaining why his parents never wanted to move again after coming to the U.S.
What is starting over in a new place is difficult? (Paragraph 4)
Mayor's older brother, who complains about the snow ruining his Adidas sneakers at the beach, goes by this name.
Who is Enrique? (Paragraphs 1, 27)
In paragraph 22, Celia works herself into a "froth," which in this context describes this emotional state.
What is a state of delirious excitement (or agitation)? (Paragraph 22)
In paragraph 19, Celia uses ellipses during her plea to Rafa to indicate these natural pauses in emotional speech.
What are hesitations (or unfinished thoughts)/nerves/anxiety? (Paragraphs 19, 17)
The Toro family officially becomes citizens of the United States by taking an oath at this location.
What is the courthouse? (Paragraph 5)
Standing on the snowy beach at the end of the text, Celia expresses this mixed feeling about her life in the United States.
What is appreciation for her new country alongside a lingering longing for her original home? (Paragraph 27)
Rafael works long hours making omelets and flipping pancakes at this restaurant job where he gets promoted to line cook.
What is a diner? (Paragraphs 4, 6, 23)
Mayor uses this verb in paragraph 3 to describe how kids at school teased and insulted him about his background.
What is taunted? (Paragraph 3)
In paragraph 4, the phrase "they never copped to the irony" uses "copped" as slang meaning this.
What is admitted or acknowledged? (Paragraphs 4, 16)
To cheer up his homesick wife during a snowy holiday season, Rafael takes the family on an hour-and-a-half bus trip to this Delaware location.
What is Cape Henlopen? (Paragraph 27)
The kids at school taunt young Mayor by asking if he is related to this Panamanian military leader.
Who is Manuel Noriega? (Paragraph 3)
Celia frequently stays on speakerphone talking and crying with this relative who lives in Boquete, Panamá.
Who is Tía Gloria (Celia's sister)? (Paragraphs 7, 22, 27)
In paragraph 25, Gustavo Milhojas tries to do this, meaning to enlist or persuade people to join a cause.
What is recruit? (Paragraph 25)
In paragraph 1, the term "utility" in "utility sink" functions as this part of speech to describe a functional object.
What is an adjective (or noun used as an adjective)? (Paragraphs 1, 16)
The family's first attempt to return to Panamá for a high school reunion is canceled after Rafael receives a insulting phone call from this person.
Who is the high school class president? (Paragraphs 10–12)
When the family flees Panamá, Mayor points out this irony to his parents about the country they fled to. (paragraph 4)
What is fleeting to the very nation (the U.S.) whose invasion had driven them out of Panamá? (Paragraph 4)
After 9/11, this neighbor attempts to recruit everyone in the apartment building to join a list for military service.
Who is Gustavo Milhojas? (Paragraph 25)
The narrator uses this word in paragraph 4 to describe how severely damaged and destroyed Panamá was when his parents left.
What is ravaged? (Paragraph 4)
In paragraph 12, Rafael goes out to this location attached to their apartment whenever he is deeply upset.
What is the balcony? (Paragraph 12)