Throughout her work, Danticat mentions her Haitian heritage and her experience as an immigrant in the United States multiple times, but never elaborates at length. Why do you think Danticat passes over her experience as an immigrant? How might this affect Danticat's musings on death and motherhood?

In considering this question, readers are invited to examine Danticat's full identity, not just as a woman who has lost her mother, but also as an immigrant. By giving weight to this aspect of Danticat's background, the reader may understand some of Danticat's statements about death in a new, more nuanced light.

Although Danticat is never explicitly political, she touches on the issues of marginalized communities, women's rights, and government abuse of power. Why do you think Danticat mentions these controversial topics in passing, rather than directly addressing them?

This question invites the reader to consider Danticat's main purpose in...