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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. According to Lou, what had Yo always said would "break your heart" (183)?

2. What is the name of Lou's wife?

3. Yo teaches which character the basics of reading?

4. At what age had Jose first touched a breast in a sexual manner at the request of Dona Teolinda?

5. Besides Jose's wife and children, which other member of the family lives in Jose's house?

Short Essay Questions

1. In what way is the theme of rebirth demonstrated within the chapter entitled "The Landlady"?

2. In what way does Alvarez set up the United States and the Dominican Republic as foil settings?

3. For how many weeks has Clair been away at the time Yo comes to live as a tenant in Marie and Clair's home?

4. Discuss Dexter's metaphor of the caged "bright bird" (204).

5. How does Alvarez depict the effects of the cycle of abuse within the novel?

6. How does Alvarez portray the theme of superstition and religious belief within the chapter entitled "The Night Watchman"?

7. For what reason does Yo come to join Tammy in bed within the chapter entitled "The Best Friend"?

8. What reason does Tammy pinpoint when wondering what makes her go along with "Yo's schemes" (147)?

9. From what culture does Tammy hail?

10. Describe Yo's status in the Dominican Republic as an adult.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Determine Alvarez's message within her novel Yo! regarding the idea that some coping methods are more effective than others when dealing with conflict or stress.

Essay Topic 2

Write a critical essay about Julia Alvarez's novel Yo! while using the critical power theory lens of feminist theory. Use textual evidence to back up your strong, specific claim regarding the novel's treatment of gender roles, the objectification of women, female empowerment, misogyny's role within society, or any other issues related to feminist theory that can be found in the novel.

Essay Topic 3

Look carefully at the passages of the novel that describe the close relationship between secrecy and control. What is Alvarez's purpose for discussing at length the nature of the connection between secrecy and control?

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