Growing Up

Please respond to both questions: Why do you think growing up, as a teenager, this day and age, can be so difficult or such challenge? What is the one thing you wish for, (seriously), during this time in your life?

Gil's Furniture Questions

Please do not answer the questions on this blog: Do it on a separate sheet of paper-

1) How do the personality differences between the two sisters show up in the store?

2) Why does Esperanza pretend she doesn't care about the music box?

3) Why is the music in Gil's shop so emotional for each character? Infer what the music gives to the community that they usually wouldn't have.

3) What literary devices are used to describe the music from the music box?

4) How does Esperanza describe her embarrassment?

5) Describe a time in your life when you were embarrasssed by your lack of understanding of a new technology, concept in class, directions in class or out of school, or simply an event where you weren't sure what everyone was doing.

Life Application Questions

Please answer one of the following: Please consider strong word choice, conventions, and fluency. Make sure your response is reflective and thorough and you answer all parts of the question.

1)What does the word EQUAL mean? Do you beleive it means the same thing that it did when Jefferson used it in the Declaration of Independence-"all men are created equal and endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights"? Does this idea still hold true today?

2)As Americans, what do we have the right to expect for ourselves from other citizens and our government? Do immigrants to this country have the right to the same expectations? Why or why not?

Outsiders

In "And Those Who Don't" Esperanza discusses how outsiders see her neighborhood and how she reacts to being an outsider. Write about your experience(s) with outsiders or as an outsider. Consider the new kids at school, newcomers to the neighborhood, visitors from the neighborhood or country. What people, situations, or customs are difficult to understand? Choose words that capture the emotions of being an outsider.