Characters & Relationships
Who is the main character of Poet X?
Xiomara
What major themes are explored through Xiomara's poetry?
Self-Expression, Independence, Freedom, Identity
Where does the novel take place?
Harlem, NYC
What style is Poet X written in?
Poetry/Free verse poetry
“The world tells me I should be quiet.”
What does this line show about Xiomara’s experience?
It reflects how society expects her to stay silent.
What is Xiomara's brother's nickname?
Twin
What does Xiomara's notebook symbolize?
Her freedom, her voice, her inner world.
What happens when Mami finds out about Xiomara's relationship with Aman?
She forbids Xiomara from seeing him.
What does Xiomara realize about Poetry?
Helps her express herself/ Gives her a voice
“I only know that learning to believe in the power of my own words has been the most freeing lesson of all.”
What lesson has Xiomara learned here?
She realizes that her voice and her poetry give her strength and freedom to define herself.
Who encourages Xiomara to join the poetry club?
Ms.Galiano
What does silence represent to Xiomara?
Oppression, being unheard.
What event helps Xiomara express herself properly?
The Poetry Slam
How does performing her poetry differ from writing it privately?
Performing helps her be seen and heard by others.
“It’s not just that I don’t want to go to confirmation classes, it’s that I don’t know if I believe.”
What inner conflict does this reveal?
Xiomara is struggling with her faith / Xiomara is questioning her mother’s religious expectations.
What is the name of Xiomara's love interest?
Aman
What is one struggle Xiomara faces?
Faith, Personal Identity, Self-exploration
What internal conflict drives Xiomara throughout the story?
Xiomara struggles with how others uphold expectations of her identity/ Identity & Social expectations.
How does Ms.Galiano help Xiomara develop her voice?
By supporting her writing and encouraging her to share it.
“Maybe the world isn’t made up of equations. Maybe it’s made up of stories.”
What idea does this quote express?
It shows that emotion, art, and personal stories are as important as logic and science.
What is the name of Xiomara's mother?
Carmen
What does Xiomara's relationship with Aman help her explore?
Trust, Love, Vulnerability
How does Xiomara's relationship with her mother change at the end?
They begin to understand each other.
Why does the book's format (Poems) matter?
“Every time I think about the word ‘repent,’ I can’t help but taste it on my tongue like poison.”
What does this line suggest about Xiomara’s relationship with religion?
It shows how guilty and trapped she feels by religious expectations.