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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.
Short Answer Questions
1. What does Chucha do with what Anita gives her?
2. What is revealed in Mr. Washburn's car when the accident occurs?
3. Where does Chucha get a job?
4. What is Anita beginning to have a hard time doing?
5. Who is Pupo?
Short Essay Questions
1. What does Anita know about a pill and what does she think about it?
2. How do Anita and Mami communicate with Mundo?
3. What do Mami and Anita do in hiding?
4. What does Anita write about their rescue from the compound?
5. What arrives for Lucinda the day after the party, and how does Lucinda feel?
6. What does Anita do when she discovers she has begun her first period?
7. What are Mami and Anita waiting for and how has Pupo failed the rebels?
8. What do Anita's diary entries for June 3, and June 5, 1961, say?
9. What does Anita know about why Americans celebrate Thanksgiving?
10. What do the children do after the American school is closed and how do they get to school?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
Over the course of "Before We Were Free," Anita grows as a person in both complexity and understanding. Discuss the following:
1. Define Bildungsroman or "Coming of Age," and give several examples from literature you have read.
2. Trace and analyze the character of Anita as she changes from a more carefree, innocent girl to a wiser, young woman. What are the significant events that change Anita?
3. After thoroughly analyzing Anita's growth throughout "Before We Were Free," do you think "Before We Were Free" could be considered Anita's coming-of-age story? Why or why not?
4. Are there any other characters in "Before We Were Free" who go through a coming-of-age experience? If yes, who and why do you think so?
Essay Topic 2
Choose one of the following to discuss:
1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in "Before We Were Free." Are these universal symbols? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other symbols that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Alvarez chose the symbols she did?
2. Choose two important metaphors and trace and analyze their appearance in the novel. Are these universal metaphors? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other metaphors that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Alvarez chose the metaphors she did?
3. Discuss Alvarez's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, clifthangers, deux ex machina, etc...), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Alvarez use too many or too little literary techniques? State which of the five major elements of fiction the literary device is related to (style, character, plot, setting, theme).
Essay Topic 3
Often authors will write about "what they know," and sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the books more interesting. Discuss the following:
1. Research and give a brief biographical sketch of Julia Alvarez.
2. What in Alvarez's background may have helped her in writing "Before We Were Free"? What may have influenced the way she depicts various characters and scenes?
3. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his or her novels? Why or why not? Give examples.
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This section contains 1,006 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) |
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