Who Are You Really? (Character Development)
What does Abuela mean when she calls New Jersey “el Polo Norte,” and what does this reveal about her character?
She means New Jersey feels as strange and extreme as the North Pole to her. This shows she is unfamiliar with the U.S. setting and finds it uncomfortable.
How does the winter weather (“two feet of snow on the ground”) affect Abuela?
She feels cold and out of place, calling New Jersey “el Polo Norte” — showing how unfamiliar and uncomfortable the setting is for her.
What event is the exposition of the story?
Abuela travels from Puerto Rico to New Jersey for the first time
How does the church setting create the main conflict between Constancia and Abuela?
The public setting makes Constancia embarrassed, which causes her to mistreat Abuela and sets up the climax.
What language does Abuela speak?
Spanish.
How is Constancia’s father both playful and authoritative in the story?
He is authoritative when he forces her to take Abuela to church, but also playful when he teases her with the car keys.
How does the airport arrival scene emphasize Abuela’s unfamiliarity with the U.S. setting? She comes off the plane____, on the arm of a _____, wrapped in a _________. This shows she is ______.
She comes off the plane last, on the arm of the flight attendant, wrapped in a black shawl like a package sent airmail — showing she is dependent, out of place, and uncomfortable in this new environment.
Name one event from the rising action.
Constancia judges her only wearing a shawl in the winter; Constancia walks behind her Abuela in public because she thinks Abuela looks weird in a big black borrowed coat; Constancia reluctantly agrees to take Abuela to mass.
How do the differences between Constancia (born in the U.S.) and Abuela (from Puerto Rico) affect how they each experience the story’s settings?
Constancia feels at home but embarrassed in familiar places like church and the apartment, while Abuela feels like an outsider in the U.S., which heightens the cultural and generational conflict driving the plot
What does Constancia do instead of helping Abuela find her seat?
Keeps her head down like she’s praying / covers her face.
At the end of the story, how has Constancia changed as a character?
She shifts from immature and embarrassed to ashamed and reflective, realizing she hurt Abuela by making her feel like “a zero.”
Why does the church become a stressful setting for Constancia during the mass?
Because it is crowded with neighbors from her block, making her feel judged and embarrassed to be seen with Abuela.
What is the climax of the story?
Abuela becomes lost in the church, Constancia refuses to help.
How do Abuela’s words, “You made me feel like a zero,” connect character, setting, and plot?
Constancia’s immature reaction in the public church (character + setting) leads to Abuela’s outburst (plot), which delivers the story’s theme of respect.
Which quote from paragraphs 17-19 develops the theme of treating others with respect?
A. “My mother…goes in to Abuela’s room to get her version of the story.
B. “She comes out with tears in her eyes.”
C. “Your grandmother says to tell you that of all the hurtful things you can do to a person, the worst is to make them feel as if they are worth nothing.”
D. “I might be sent into the old lady’s room to apologize…”
C. “Your grandmother says to tell you that of all the hurtful things you can do to a person, the worst is to make them feel as if they are worth nothing.”
What character trait does Abuela show when she refuses to let her daughter buy her a coat?
Pride and dignity — she refuses charity and insists she doesn’t need anything new for her short stay.
What are the differences Abuela and Constancia (Connie) feel about being in the U.S.?
Constancia was born and raised here, while Abuela feels like a visitor — Constancia is comfortable while Abuela is uncomfortable in an unfamiliar environment.
What happens in the falling action?
Abuela scolds her: “You made me feel like a zero.”
Constancia tries to explain herself, but her mother listens to Abuela’s version and reminds Constancia of the hurt she caused.
“Your grandmother says to tell you that of all the hurtful things you can do to a person, the worst is to make them feel as if they are worth nothing.”
How does Constancia end up being the one who takes Abuela to church, and why is the setting important?
Because her father insists she go instead of him, Constancia is forced into the church with Abuela — a public place where her embarrassment builds, pushing the plot toward conflict.
What event does Constancia want to go to instead of mass? A ________ at ____________.
A Harley-Davidson fashion show at Brookline Square.
When Abuela says, “You made me feel like a zero,” what does this reveal about her character?
self-respect, pride, dignity, courage to speak up
How does the church setting make Abuela’s words — “You made me feel like a zero” — even more powerful?
The church is supposed to be a sacred, respectful place (most likely the only place Abuela feels comfortable), but Constancia’s shameful actions there highlight the disrespect that leads to Abuela’s outburst.
What is the resolution of the story?
Constancia is sent to her room, where she reflects on her grandmother’s words and realizes the importance of respect and family dignity.
“You should know, Constancia, that if it wasn’t for the old woman whose existence you don’t seem to value, you and I would not be here.”
How does the apartment setting change the way Abuela responds to Constancia after mass? (Hint: public setting of church versus private setting of apartment)
Back at home, Abuela points her finger at Constancia and says, “You made me feel like a zero.” The private apartment setting allows Abuela to directly confront her granddaughter, moving the conflict from embarrassment in church to a personal accusation.
What does Constancia compare Abuela’s slow walking in the church to?
Captain Cousteau exploring the bottom of the sea.