The Poet X
Who is the author of The Poet X?
Elizabeth Acevedo
A comparison between two unlike things that does not use "like" or "as"
This term describes the message or lesson of a poem or other work of art.
Theme
According to Part I, why does Xiomara believe her mother chose an appropriate name for her? What is the meaning of her name?
Xiomara means “One who is ready for war” and she has a “gift of battle” which very much suits Xiomara's personality
What is one of Mami's dating rules in The Poet X?
I can't date.
At least until I'm married.
Or until I graduate college.
Who is the protagonist of The Poet X?
Xiomara Batista
A comparison between two unlike things that uses "like" or "as"
Simile
This point of view uses pronouns like I, me, and my and tells the story through one character’s perspective.
What is first-person point of view?
Which of the following is the main reason that Xiomara resents her twin brother?
Because he is soft and unable to defend himself and she is often the only person will defend him from bullies.
What is a juxtaposition in literature? Can you name an example of it Acevedo's book?
Juxtaposition is a literary device that involves placing two objects, ideas, or images alongside each other (physically or in the imagination) in order to highlight their differences. The example in the book that we studied is the two writing samples from Xiomara on the most impactful day of her life, what she wrote for her first draft vs what she actually turned into her teacher.
What is the setting of The Poet X?
Harlem, New York City
A metaphor that continues over the course of multiple lines, stanzas, or paragraphs
Extended Metaphor
Who is a literary foil for Xiomara? And what is literary foil in literature?
Caridad and Twin serve as literary foil to the protagonist Xiomara. A literary foil in literature is when a character is placed in a story to contrast the main character. They usually possess contrasting features to the main character's personality.
Why does Xiomara say that the day she got her period was the most impactful day of her life?
She was already scared because she had not been prepared for it, and her mother’s reaction was abusive and terrifying.
Where does Xiomara express her deepest feelings? And who gifts her this prized possession.
Her Journal and Twin gave it to her in order toto encourage Xiomara to find her voice and to write.
One motif of The Poet X is rebellion. What is something that Xiomara rebels against?
Multiple answers accepted. Xiomara rebels against expectations about gender, silence, and who she is allowed to become. She rebels against for Mother's strict religious expectations.
A type of figurative language that gives non-human things human characteristics
Personification
When an author includes storm clouds gathering before a major conflict, they are using this device to create suspense and signal future events and give hints about what is going to happen in the story?
What is foreshadowing
What does the following quote illustrate about the relationship between Xiomara and Xavier?
“My brother was birthed a soft whistle: quiet, barely stirring the air, a gentle sound. But I was born all the hurricane he needed to lift - and drop - those that hurt him to the ground.”
Xiomara felt it was her job to protect her brother because he was too gentle.
What is Xiomara's nationality? What country is her family originally from?
Dominican Republic
Xiomara feels frustrated because people often focus on this instead of listening to her words.
What is her appearance/body?
A figure of speech where the author uses extreme exaggeration
Hyperbole
A reference made in one work of art designed to make you think of another work
Allusion
What is the overall effect of Xiomara’s allusion to Medusa in “How I Feel about Attention”?
The author feels that she is both strong and cursed, just as Medusa was. It emphasizes the fact that women have to deal with many negatives experiences with the male gaze and the patriarchy.
Xiomara uses allusion to show how she feels a connection to a monster from Greek mythology. Who is the monster she references?
Medusa