What do you think is the significance of the passages in the book that are written in Spanish? Do you think these passages have certain meaning to the author? Why or why not? Or why do you think that the author chose to include Spanish words, phrases, or sayings in a book that is written in English, even when these sayings could be crucial to the plot of the book?
I think the signigicance that the passages in the book are written in Spanish are very important to the author. I think the author did this specifically to bring back some of the heritage of his home and heritage into a book that is mostly meant for English-reading people. I think the author, although putting the book in English, wanted for someone whose primary language is Spanish but knows some English can read and understand the book. I think that by providing some of the sayings in Spanish is giving more emphasises to the parts that want to be mainly remembered and are important to that part of the story. Certain parts of the story where this has happened has enhanced the picture the reader can draw from the story. For example, in one instance where the mother is criticizing the daughter she calls her what is our equivalent of something like a whore, but in Spanish. This really made the reader understand how much the mother doesnt like her daughter's ways, and is showing her hatred for the type of promiscious type in which her daughter has become. I think the author did this for a reason and wants his audience to really get a feel for the setting in which this story takes place and understand where the characters are coming from.
I think the significance of the passages written in Spanish are to highlight the importance of the particular scene. I do not think the it has a certain meaning to the author; it's simply there to reiterate the Spanish influence in the book -- to show how the times Oscar and his family are living in relates to their lives as shown in the footnotes. The author chose to include Spanish words because the people the story is about are Dominican, and without a touch of Spanish, I believe, that the reader would not be able to really connect with Oscar and the rest of the characters.
Now that you've read about the Oscar's sister and mother. Compare their character to Oscar's, giving examples from the story to make your point. Do you think their dominant traits are the reason Oscar acts the way he does?
I feel that the significance to the use of Spanish is for emhasis on what he is trying to say. It also helps me focus in on or picture the scene. I can just picture the mother screaming Spanish when she is upset with her daughter or Oscer. I get a better understanding of her personality when she is upset ans they are using Spanigh with each other.
Why do you think Oscar’s mom beats him and his sister? Why is it that Oscar never talks about it? Do you think Lola is beaten more b/c of her tough attitude? Or is it just that Oscar is such a weak and sensitive person that his mother feels bad to hit him, so in turn she doesn’t do it to him as much. How does the mother’s abusive behavior affect Lola’s attitude and behavior?
The spanish words in the book play a very important role in this book. As I am reading, it just seems like it builds a better picture for me and helps create a better image in my mind. I also feel that the author uses the spanish words for readers to interpret what the meaning behind them are if you necessarily don't know spanish. I know that as I read, I know some of the words, but not all of them so I am forced to interpret the phrase myself. By doing this, I feel that the author meant to do this to keep the reader entertained while reading.
7 comments:
What do you think is the significance of the passages in the book that are written in Spanish? Do you think these passages have certain meaning to the author? Why or why not? Or why do you think that the author chose to include Spanish words, phrases, or sayings in a book that is written in English, even when these sayings could be crucial to the plot of the book?
I think the signigicance that the passages in the book are written in Spanish are very important to the author. I think the author did this specifically to bring back some of the heritage of his home and heritage into a book that is mostly meant for English-reading people. I think the author, although putting the book in English, wanted for someone whose primary language is Spanish but knows some English can read and understand the book. I think that by providing some of the sayings in Spanish is giving more emphasises to the parts that want to be mainly remembered and are important to that part of the story. Certain parts of the story where this has happened has enhanced the picture the reader can draw from the story. For example, in one instance where the mother is criticizing the daughter she calls her what is our equivalent of something like a whore, but in Spanish. This really made the reader understand how much the mother doesnt like her daughter's ways, and is showing her hatred for the type of promiscious type in which her daughter has become. I think the author did this for a reason and wants his audience to really get a feel for the setting in which this story takes place and understand where the characters are coming from.
I think the significance of the passages written in Spanish are to highlight the importance of the particular scene. I do not think the it has a certain meaning to the author; it's simply there to reiterate the Spanish influence in the book -- to show how the times Oscar and his family are living in relates to their lives as shown in the footnotes. The author chose to include Spanish words because the people the story is about are Dominican, and without a touch of Spanish, I believe, that the reader would not be able to really connect with Oscar and the rest of the characters.
Now that you've read about the Oscar's sister and mother. Compare their character to Oscar's, giving examples from the story to make your point. Do you think their dominant traits are the reason Oscar acts the way he does?
I feel that the significance to the use of Spanish is for emhasis on what he is trying to say. It also helps me focus in on or picture the scene. I can just picture the mother screaming Spanish when she is upset with her daughter or Oscer. I get a better understanding of her personality when she is upset ans they are using Spanigh with each other.
Why do you think Oscar’s mom beats him and his sister? Why is it that Oscar never talks about it? Do you think Lola is beaten more b/c of her tough attitude? Or is it just that Oscar is such a weak and sensitive person that his mother feels bad to hit him, so in turn she doesn’t do it to him as much. How does the mother’s abusive behavior affect Lola’s attitude and behavior?
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The spanish words in the book play a very important role in this book. As I am reading, it just seems like it builds a better picture for me and helps create a better image in my mind. I also feel that the author uses the spanish words for readers to interpret what the meaning behind them are if you necessarily don't know spanish. I know that as I read, I know some of the words, but not all of them so I am forced to interpret the phrase myself. By doing this, I feel that the author meant to do this to keep the reader entertained while reading.
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