Salvador Late or Early

Although the title of the story is about Salvador’s attendance at school, none of the narrative is set within the school building. Why is this important?

Cisneros’s character sketch of Salvador depicts how much the boy has endured. What is the tone of this vignette? Does the tone shift or does it remain the same throughout? What diction supports your thinking?

The work spans only six sentences and three paragraphs. Is this structure effective in telling Salvador’s story? Why or why not?

Salvador’s name means “savior.” To what extent is this an accurate depiction of his identity, especially given how tender, patient, and kind he is toward his brothers?

Consider the imagery of blurring, vagueness, and muddiness in the piece. What do these symbolize?

Mood is the emotional response a reader has while experiencing a text. Tone is the emotional content of the piece itself. Compare and contrast the mood and tone of the short story.

Consider the characters who are named in the story versus those who are not. How do these choices impact the narrative and one or more themes?

Analyze the story’s depiction of labor. We see three adults and a child engaged in work. How are their efforts similar? How are they different?