When I Was Puerto Rican
When I Was Puerto Rican
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What does the memoir suggest gives a person their identity?
Are Esmeralda’s parents sympathetic characters, or not? How did your opinions of them change throughout the book?
Over the course of the book, Esmeralda develops strong opinions about what women should and should not be. Is Esmeralda presented as a feminist? Why or why not?
What role does food play in When I Was Puerto Rican? Esmeralda takes great care to inform the reader of what she and her family are eating. Why do you believe she makes this choice?
What is Esmeralda’s view of religion in this book? Does her viewpoint change?
Discuss Esmeralda’s portrayal of herself by considering her as the author, not as a character. How does her role as the memoirist impact the way she is portrayed?
Why does Esmeralda blame herself for things that are not her responsibility?
Discuss and contrast two or more characters’ views on immigration in When I Was Puerto Rican.
Does the memoir suggest that people can truly change who they are?
Esmeralda says that she does not like people much. At the end of the book, is there any sense that she might feel differently?
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