Character & Plot
Connie's focus on Abuela's appearance reveals this (flawed) character trait in Connie.
embarrassment, shame
Connie refers to New Jersey in January as "el Polo Norte" due to the snow and freezing temperatures. How does this setting contribute to the plot?
due to the cold weather, abuela needs a coat but refuses to buy one for just two weeks, so she wears Connie's mom's coat and is way too big on her and it emphasizes Connie's embarrassment to be seen with her.
Connie's parents repeatedly insist that Connie treat her grandmother with care while she visits. This parental expectation introduces WHAT primary theme of the text?
family honor and respect, and caring for your elders
Connie is a teenager growing up in New Jersey, while Abuela spent her life in Puerto Rico. How does this difference impact how Connie acts?
She hasn't spent much time with her grandmother and therefore doesn't have a strong relationship with her, and then doesn't feel the need to be respectful because-even though it's her grandma- it's someone she barely knows.
What song did Ms. Wheeler play on Friday?
Hotdog dance
Connie feels humiliated to be seen with her grandma in public. Based on this, what two values/emotions is Connie torn between?
social acceptance/fitting in and respect/duty to your family
The climax occurs during mass in a local Catholic church. How does this specific setting heightens Connie's anxiety?
it guarantees Connie's fear will come true- she will be seen by someone she knows when she is with her abuela.
Abuela states that Connie made her feel like "un cero, nada." What theme about personal value does this show?
That disrespect and rejection can make someone feel worthless
Connie admits she is terrified that her friends and enemies in the barrio will tell "senile-grandmother jokes" on Monday. This helps develops a theme about peer pressure. What is that theme?
You should value family over peers.
You shouldn't be too worried about what others think of you.
What was Bella dressed up as for Halloween?
Tinkerbelle
During Sunday mass, Abuela becomes lost in the church aisles. Instead of helping her, Connie stays in her seat with her head down. What part of the 'story map' does this event represent?
climax
How does the harsh, freezing winter weather outside mirror Connie's attitude toward Abuela throughout most of the story?
she is emotionally cold and displays a lack of warmth to her own family.
Connie's mother leaves Abuela's room with tears in her eyes after learning what happened at church. How does this detail deepen the theme of 'respecting your family'?
By showing that Connie's actions impacted more than just abuela- it hurt Connie's mom as well.
When Abuela confronts Connie, she speaks in Spanish: "You made me feel like a zero... un cero, nada." Why is Abuela's use of Spanish tell us about her personality?
speaking in her native language demonstrates Abuela's cultural pride
Why is there no school on Nov 11?
Veterans Day
After mass, Abuela points her finger at Connie and says in Spanish, "You made me feel like a zero, like a nothing." This direct confrontation causes what emotions in Connie?
deep guilt and shame, causing her to feel like she is 'shrinking'
Connie refuses to get up and help Abuela back to her seat. How does this setting-based event advance the plot?
It exposes Connie's neglect and shame toward her grandmother to her family and community, and it hurts Abuela's feelings- something for which Connie is punished.
At the end of the text, Connie states that she can feel herself "shrinking right there in front of her." What does this detail demonstrate about the consequences of Connie's actions?
when you hurt someone else's feelings, you end up with hurt feelings as well.
Connie tries to protect her social image by distancing herself from her abuela. What does this show about Connie's values?
Connie values her peers and social status more than her family.
What did Jayson dress up as for Halloween?
minion
How does Connie feel at the beginning of the story compared to how she feels at the end? BE SPECIFIC.
Who is she ashamed of in the beginning? Who is she ashamed of in the end?
At the beginning, Connie feels ashamed of her grandmother. At the end, Connie feels ashamed of herself.
Explain how the combination of the crowded church setting and Connie's fear help move the story's main plot conflict to its breaking point.
due to the threat of public embarrassment, Connie chooses herself over her family and abandons her abuela
Think about the difference between Connie's focus on Abuela's physical appearance and Abuela's focus on behavior. What universal theme does this develop?
Value is defined more by how you act and not what you look like.
The story ends with no reconciliation between Connie and her abuela. What does this detail show about the effect of her actions?
actions have painful and lasting consequences
What color is Ms. Wheeler's car?
black