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Vocabulary
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 18 & 19
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 20-22
100
Spanish phrase for “the Chief” or “the Boss”
What is El Jefe?
100
What is the impact of Alvarez’s choice of the word habits in paragraph 17?
Habits implies behavior that is done without thinking. By using this word, Alvarez suggests that Dominicans are so used to “repression, censorship, terror” that they act as though Trujillo were still in power even after his fall. OR The “habits” are something that Alvarez’s parents have “learned” for “all their lives,” so they “[do] not disappear” overnight (par. 17).
100
What are the “awful consequences” that Alvarez’s parents fear?
She leaves the question unanswered, making these “consequences” seem less clear and therefore scarier.
100
What is Alvarez’s purpose in paragraph 16?
Alvarez’s purpose is to describe how Trujillo was finally “brought to justice” (par. 16).
100
How do Alvarez’s specific word choices develop the idea of trauma in the first three sentences of paragraph 20?
Alvarez refers to her mother’s “terror” of consequences: this is a very strong word, implying great fear. She states that her mother became “hysterical” when her father attended political meetings, suggesting a response beyond regular anxiety.
200
a system of rule or government A. Constituent B. Dictatorship C. Regime
What is regime?
200
What is the impact of Alvarez’s choice of the word exorcism?
Exorcism implies a demon or other supernatural figure, suggesting that Trujillo was some kind of monster or devil.
200
How does Alvarez further develop the central idea of trauma from paragraph 17 to 18?
Alvarez notes in paragraph 17 that the habits of terror “would not disappear” on the plane ride to New York. In paragraph 18, she develops this further by describing the continued impact of living under Trujillo’s rule, which lasts even after the family arrives in New York, “even on American soil,” stating that “the First Amendment right to free speech meant nothing to [her parents].”
200
Analyze the difference in meaning and tone in the first and last sentences of paragraph 16. How do Alvarez’s specific word choices create this difference?
In the first sentence of the paragraph, Alvarez calls those who killed Trujillo “plotters,” implying illegal activity, and states that they “assassinated” Trujillo, suggesting murder. or In the final sentence of the paragraph, Alvarez describes Trujillo’s death as a process of justice. She says that he was “brought to justice,” and “found guilty,” suggesting a trial. The word executed also implies a legal process leading up to his death.
200
What consequences does Alvarez’s mother fear as a result of her husband’s activities?
Alvarez’s mother is afraid that the SIM will find out about Alvarez’s father’s activities.She is afraid that “family members remaining behind” in the Dominican Republic will be in danger. She also fears that even in New York, the family “could suffer consequences.” Alvarez’s mother cites the example of Galíndez, an exiled anti-Trujillo activist who disappeared from the New York subway, and worries that the same could happen to one of her family. Lead a brief, whole-class discussion of student responses. Distribute a Paragraphs 20–22 Discussion Tool to each student and ask them to write in the first column the central ideas as discussed here. Then in
300
submit or comply silently or without protest
What is acquiesce?
300
How does Alvarez use rhetorical devices and word choices to emphasize the internal consequences of living under Trujillo’s rule?
Alvarez uses repetition to highlight the continued fear: she repeats the word habits and the phrase “would not disappear.” o She refers to the journey to the United States as “a plane ride north that put hundreds of miles distance between the Island and our apartment in New York,” emphasizing that even though they continue to live as though they were still living under Trujillo, the Alvarez family are in fact “hundreds of miles” away from the Dominican Republic.
300
How does Alvarez introduce and develop the idea of silence in paragraphs 18 and 19?
Alvarez notes in paragraph 18 that her parents are specifically afraid to speak out or to disagree with authority. Alvarez further develops the idea of silence by stating that the “First Amendment right to freedom of speech meant nothing to [her parents]” (par. 18). In the final sentence of paragraph 18, she concludes, “Silence about anything ‘political’ was the rule in our house.”
300
What is the impact of Alvarez’s choice to begin paragraph 21 with the words “I don’t know”?
By beginning the paragraph with the phrase “I don’t know,” Alvarez develops the idea of silence, highlighting the fact that she has been kept in the dark by her parents’ silence.
400
regard or treat with reverence, a feeling or attitude of deep respect
What is venerate?
400
How does Alvarez develop the central idea of trauma in paragraph 17?
Alvarez establishes a contrast between the external “event” of Trujillo’s fall from power and the continued internal effects of his rule.
400
What does the United States represent to Alvarez’s parents in paragraph 19? How does this develop an idea from paragraphs 16–18?
Alvarez’s parents have mixed feelings towards the United States.On the one hand, the United States represents a “refuge” and “this great country” to Alvarez’s parents.On the other hand, the United States was partially responsible for putting Trujillo in power in the Dominican Republic.Even though Alvarez’s parents see the United States as a refuge, they are still afraid of what could happen if they challenge authority in any way.
400
What is the impact of this change in tone?
By referring to the death as an “ajusticiamiento,” a “bringing to justice,” and an “execution,” Alvarez justifies the assassination, making it seem more acceptable to the reader.
400
How does Alvarez develop the idea of silence in paragraph 21?
Alvarez refers to the fact that “[her father’s] silence deepened” after he abandoned his political activities.She highlights the “hushed voices” in which her parents speak about the Dominican Republic.
500
the act of controlling or repressing the behavior of others
What is censorship?
500
What is the impact of Alvarez’s specific word choice in the phrase “on American soil” from paragraph 18? How does this develop an idea from paragraph 17?
The phrase “on American soil” shows that externally, the Alvarez family is far away from the Dominican Republic, repeating the idea that there are “hundreds of miles” between them and their homeland in paragraph 17.By highlighting the contrast between the Alvarez family’s external circumstances of freedom and their internal experience of continued fear of the Trujillo regime, Alvarez develops the idea of trauma.
500
How does Alvarez support her claim that “this great country that had offered my parents a refuge had also created the circumstances that made them have to seek refuge in the first place” (paragraph 19)?
Alvarez cites the role of the United States in bringing Trujillo to power in 1916 to 1924, during their occupation of the Dominican Republic.She quotes the Secretary of State Cordell Hull’s remark that “Trujillo is an SOB, but at least he’s our SOB” (par. 19).
500
What details does Alvarez reveal about her family’s escape from the Dominican Republic?
Alvarez does not reveal any details about the escape.
500
What is the impact of Alvarez’s choice of the words “mandate of silence” in paragraph 22? What kind of relationship does Alvarez suggest between herself and her mother in paragraph 22?
By calling it a “mandate,” Alvarez implies that her mother was acting like a dictator, like Trujillo. Alvarez states that she was “a real thorn in my mother’s side,” suggesting conflict.