Chapter 1 &2 Vocabulary
Chapter 1 & 2 Journal EntryChoose one and write 150 words in your journal:
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Chapter 1 & 2 Discussion Questions
- Explain the significance of the Chapter titles:
- Chapter 1 - "The Eraser in the Shape of the Dominican Republic"
- Chapter 2 - "Shhh!"
- Chapter 1 - "The Eraser in the Shape of the Dominican Republic"
- How would you characterize Anita in these first two chapters? Why?
- How is Anita's environment affecting her and the people around her?
- What is the inciting incident?
Chapter 3 &4 Vocabulary
Chapter 3&4 Journal EntryChoose one and write 150 words in your journal:
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Chapter 3 &4 Discussion Questions:
- What does "No flies fly into a closed mouth" mean?
- How does an embargo work? How might an embargo impact the political situation in the Dominican Republic?
- How do Anita and her family feel toward the United States and Americans in general? Find evidence.
- Describe El Jefe's dictatorship. How might living under his regime affect you?
Chapter 5&6 Vocabulary
Chapter 5&6 Journal EntriesChoose one and write 150 words in your journal:
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Joan of Arc (Saint Joan)
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Chapter 5&6 Discussion Questions
- How is the political climate affecting Anita? Lucinda? Mundin?
- What does Papi mean when he says, "Democracy is only the beginning. Education is the key"?
- At the bottom of p. 58, Anita says that she hasn't heard a voice telling her what she can do for her country. What do you think she can do?
- What do "butterflies" symbolize in these chapters?
Chapter 7, 8 & 9 Vocabulary
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Chapter 7, 8 & 9 Discussion Questions
- Why has Anita stopped talking?
- What are the "ingredients for the picnic"?
- How is Anita transforming physically? Emotionally?
- Why didn't the police officer turn Mr. Washburn in when he discovered guns in his trunk?
- What's happened with Anita's and Sam's relationship? Hers and Oscar's?
- What is the meaning of Anita's dream in Chapter 9?
- What does it mean when Chucha tells Anita, "It's time. Fly, fly free."
Anita's Diary Vocabulary1. consulate- the premises officially occupied by a consul, an official appointed by the government of one country to look after the welfare of its citizens in another country.
2. liberation-to free (a nation or area) from control by a foreign or oppressive government. 3. jalousie window-a blind or shutter made with horizontal slats that can be adjusted to admit light and air but exclude rain and the rays of the sun. 4. embassy-the residence or place of official business of an ambassador 5. assassination-to kill suddenly or secretively, especially a politically prominent person 6. conspirator-a person who takes part in a secret plan or agreement to carry out an illegal or harmful act 7. refugees-a person who flees for safety |
Anita's Diary Journal Entries
Choose one and write 150 words in your journal
- Desribe a time when you were waiting on bad news to arrive. How did you feel?
- Have you ever kept a diary or journal? How might writing help you deal with what is going on in your life?
Anita's Diary Discussion Questions
1. Why is it important for Anita to write in her diary while they are hiding?
2. What does the phrase "they put wings on all of our hearts" mean? (pg.133)
3. Did Oscar know Anita was hiding in his house? Why is their friendship important to Anita during this time?
4. Why does Anita refer to her mother as "My Joan-of-Arc-Mother" on pg. 134?
5. When the house is ambushed at the end of the chapter, Anita continues writing in her diary saying, "...I want to leave this record just so the world knows." What does that mean, and why is it so important for the world to know?
2. What does the phrase "they put wings on all of our hearts" mean? (pg.133)
3. Did Oscar know Anita was hiding in his house? Why is their friendship important to Anita during this time?
4. Why does Anita refer to her mother as "My Joan-of-Arc-Mother" on pg. 134?
5. When the house is ambushed at the end of the chapter, Anita continues writing in her diary saying, "...I want to leave this record just so the world knows." What does that mean, and why is it so important for the world to know?
Chapter 10 & 11 Vocabulary1. paratroopers-a member of a military unit trained to attack or land in combat areas by parachuting from airplanes.
2. composition-an essay 3. ambush-attacking unexpectedly from a concealed position 4. la juventud- youth 5. lackluster-dull 6. correspondence-letters Chapter 10 & 11 Journal EntryChoose one and write 150 words in your journal
Chapter 10 & 11 Discussion Questions
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Author's Note When Julia Alvarez was ten years old, her and her family moved to the United States from the Dominican Republic. Her country was under the rule of dictator, General Trujillo, and the SIM (secret police). Anyone who resisted his leadership could be arrested, tortured, and killed. Alvarez's father became involved in an underground movement against the dictator and it was this involvement that led to her family fleeing the country. After moving to America, Alvarez found out that her uncle had been taken prisoner and that his family was under house arrest.
Alvarez imagined what it must have been like for those that remained behind fighting for freedom. Before We Were Free is a testimony of those who stayed behind during the Dominican dictatorship. She writes it for those who cannot, and for her uncle, Tio Meme, who survived his prison experiences under the dictatorship and wanted his story to be told. |