27 pages • 54-minute read
Names/Nombres
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Essay Topics
How and why does Alvarez’s relationship with her name change over the course of the essay? How does this change reflect her evolving sense of identity?
How does the rest of Alvarez’s family adapt to life in the United States? How are their experiences different from Alvarez’s?
Why did Alvarez call the essay “Names/Nombres”? How does this title reflect the themes of language and naming?
Alvarez and her family migrated to the United States in 1960. In what ways does the essay reflect a mid-20th-century cultural context?
How does Alvarez’s mother influence her attempt to assimilate into mainstream American culture?
The essay describes how Alvarez begins writing poems and stories at an early age. Why is she drawn to literature and language?
What are some of the challenges Alvarez encounters trying to navigate her dual cultural identities? How do those challenges comment on the broader immigrant experience?
How does the cultural significance of names differ between Dominican and mainstream American culture?
Alvarez was born in New York but lived in the Dominican Republic for years before returning to the United States. How does this affect or complicate her sense of belonging?
Why is Alvarez reluctant to share parts of her Dominican identity with her American classmates?
Unlock all 27 pages of this Study Guide
Get in-depth, chapter-by-chapter summaries and analysis from our literary experts.
- Grasp challenging concepts with clear, comprehensive explanations
- Revisit key plot points and ideas without rereading the book
- Share impressive insights in classes and book clubs