Language Choice
General facts
Literary devices
Organization
Topic and Theme
100
What does Cisneros mean when she says “special kids”? Why are they special? Why is there so much emphasis on special?
Special because they are different. They don’t have family to go home to in the middle of the day like most kids do.
100
Why was Esperanza’s sandwich made of rice?
The family didn’t have enough money for lunch meats.
100
What literary device is used in this quotation?: “They think suffering is good for you ever since they saw that movie 300 Spartans” (44)
Allusion
100
Why do you think that she doesn’t use quotation marks?
Makes it easier for people to read, also makes the reader feel like they are in the moment and it isn’t just a quote from a book.
100
What is the overall theme of the vignette?
Disappointment.
200
What does Esperanza mean when she says her mom would “appreciate” her? Does she think her mom doesn’t appreciate her now? Why?
Her mom will notice her more. Esperanza probably doesn’t think her mom appreciates her much now because her mom is always working.
200
Why didn’t Nenny want to eat at school?
She wanted to watch cartoons with her friends instead.
200
What point of view is this story told? Why do you think it was told this way?
First person
200
Take note of how she uses paragraph break. Anything stand out to you? When does she break?
Every time she starts a new thought.
200
Name two other vignettes in the book that relate to the major theme of Rice Sandwich
“Those Who Don’t” and “The House on Mango Street” (first vignette)
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