American History Story
Discreet
Sneaky. Showing good judgment
which of the following sentences BEST communicates one of Elena's internal conflicts?
.. I decided to approach him directly, though my stomach was doing somersaults
Elena's interactions with other characters are affected by the social barriers she faces. What are these barriers and how are they demonstrated or enforced?
1) Elena is separated from the black girls because she can't turn the rope fast enough and they call her names.2) Elena is separated from honors classes because English is not her first language.3) Elena is separated from Eugene because he lives in a house and she lives in a tenement, and his mother rejects her.
impulse
A sudden, involuntary urge to do something
Who lived in the old house before Eugene moved in?
An old Jewish couple
What does it mean by be American and American identity in this American history
Being American is different depending on where you live, work, originated, ans etc. Everyone comes to America for something like the freedom, the American dream, and etc. In Elena case she wants the American dream where she gets a job she wants, has a beautiful house, getting the married with Eugene and living a happy life. Everyone has a different ways of being American.
One example of Elena vs. outside force.
Elena couldn't go inside Eugene's home, because of how upset his mother is.EX:"He cannot study with you. It's nothing personal."
What are the two contrasts when comparing Elena's home with Eugene's?
Elena feels her home is large and noisy; Eugene's home is quiet and comfortable and much smaller.
Point of View
First Person
Where was Eugene from?
Georgia
One example of Elena vs. herself internal conflict
Hates that she has a skinny flat chested body.EX:"I hate my skinny flat-chested body"
Setting
Paterson, New Jersey 1963
Why was Elena's mom really upset when President Kennedy died? Write 4 - 5 sentences
President Kennedy stood for equal rights and Elena's family didn't have that. Their family was treated differently than other families because of their ethnicity. Kennedy was trying to change that. Losing him made an impact in everyone's hearts.
How does the narrator first become aware of Eugene?
The narrator first become aware of Eugene when his family sat on the kitchen table and read books for hours.
In what way does this story reflect social issues facing America in the 1960s? Consider description of Elena's school and neighborhood, as well as Eugene's mother's reaction to Elena.
The ways that this story reflects on social issues faced in American is that the prejudice that Eugene has in Elena. She believes that her son was better than Elena and that Elena and her son shouldn't be together. Another thing is social injustice. What I mean by this is that Elena's neighborhood is very sketchy and no one would like to live in a sketchy place. Also her school the children are stereotyping Elena they were calling her pork chops and asking her weather she are her beans and rice yet.
Elation
a feeling of great joy or pride
Elena's mother and Eugene's mother have a similar concert about their children. From the details in the story, choose the statement that BEST describes the viewpoint they share.
both mothers wish their children to avoid mixing with members of another ethnic group
Solace
comfort
anticipation
expectation
enthralled
fascinated
Infatuated
filled with excessive, shallow, or foolish love or desire
(part B) which sentence BEST supports the answer to "they work hard and make sacrifices in the hope of a better future"?
my mother was unhappy in Paterson, but my father had a good job at the bluejeans factory in Passaic and soon, he kept assuring us, we would be moving to our own house there
(part A) which of the MOST ACCURATE description of Elena's status at school?
she is something of an outsider
At the end, Elena says, "That night , I lay in my bed trying to feel the right ting for our dead President, but the tears that came up from a deep source inside me were strictly for me" Which sentence BEST describes the internal conflict Elena feel at this moment?
she wants to feel appropriate sorrow over the President's assassination but is consumed by her own unhappiness. She feels the personal pain much more than the pain of the assassination of President Kennedy.
the 1960s, when "American History" is set, was a time of great social change and reform. Which of the following of the time is MOST relevant to Elena's experiences in the story?
strong ethnic divisions in urban areas
devoted
very loving or loyal
Vigilant
watchful
Are the conflicts necessary for Elena's personal growth and understanding of the world around her?
Yes. She will become better informed of the world around especially the prejudice that she experiences from others.
Is the following quote an example of direct or indirect characterization and explain why?"He was the teacher to whose homeroom you were assigned if you were a troublemaker, and the man called to break up playground fights and to escort violently angry teenagers to the office."
indirect. This quote suggests that Mr. DePalma Is a mean and harsh teacher.
passion
strong feeling or emotion
(part A) what can you infer about Elena's parents from the details she provides?
they work hard and make sacrifices in the hope of a better future
Give three arguable reason about being an American.
•Being American isn't necessarily your race,but your morals.•Rising above your current circumstances.•Respect and Trustworthiness.
What did Elena want to become when she graduated from college?
Teacher
What did Elena mean when she didn't want to look down and see the white snow turn gray? Write 4 - 5 sentences
Elena did not want to see the white snow turn gray because it is another bad thing that she doesn't want to through. It represents her losing her innocence. She wants to stay that way forever but can't. She also wants to be with Eugene but can't because his mom won't let her.
How does the story relate to "American History?"
Elena plans to study American History with Eugene; instead, an important event in American history interferes.
According to her mother, how does Elena seem to feel about Eugene.
Elena seems to feel like Elena is acting moony and that she is obsessed with Eugene. She also feels like Elena is slowly losing herself
(part A) which statement BEST describes the external conflicts between Elena and her mother?
Elena wants to act accordingly to her emotions; her mother wants her to be prudent and careful
The main conflict of the story is...
Elena's struggle to find happiness by becoming part of Eugene's life. She feels that being friends with him will bring happiness, but instead, she experiences the pain of prejudice.
Explain the contrast in Elena´s feelings towards her own home and Eugene´s house. Cite descriptive details that reflect these feelings.
Elena´s feeling towards her house is that she feels embarrassed that she lives in a place like El building. In paragraph 1, it states "At almost any hours of the day, El building was like a monstrous jukebox, blasting out salsas from open windows as the residents, mostly new immigrants just up from the island, tried to drown out whatever they were currently enduring with loud music." Elena feelings towards Eugene's house is that she was in love with the house and that she is fascinated by the house. According to paragraph 6, it says " I could see their kitchen table, the sink, and the store." Then in paragraph 28, it says " the yard was healthy edged around the little walk that led to the door. It always amazed me how Paterson, the inner core of the city has no apparent logic to its architecture small, neat, single residents like this one could be found right next to huge dilapidated apartment building like El building."
What do you think is the real reason that Eugene's mother turns Elena away? Explain why you think as you do.
Eugene's mom looks down on Elena because she is an immigrant that lives in a tenement (poor). Eugene's mom points to the tenement and says that she doesn't know how you people do it. She also may be discriminating against Elena because she is Puerto Rican.
What was Eugene's nickname and why?
The hick because of his southern accent
part B) which sentence BEST supports the answer to "she is something of an outsider"?
"skinny bones" and the "hick" was what they called [Eugene and me] at school when they were seen together
(part B) which excerpts BEST supports the answer to "Elena wants to act accordingly to her emotions; her mother wants her to be prudent and careful"?
"you are forgetting who you are, Nina. I have seen you staring down at that boy's house. You are heading for humiliation and pain
Elena is a teenage girl and more often than not, teenage girls struggle with body image. How does Elena feel about herself?
She hates her flat chest and envies the black girls who jump rope.
Why is Elena so excited and happy even on a day when something tragic has happened?
She is finally going to Eugene's house to study. She can't wait to see the inside of the house and spend time with him.
How does she describe Eugene's house from her fire escape?
She describe Eugene's house as small and neat. It has some grass and seems peaceful.
In the end, why does she say that her tears are just for herself?
She feels the personal pain much more than the pain of the assassination of President Kennedy. She feels guilt because her sorrow is for her personal loss, not her country's.
What is the main conflict in this story? is that main conflict primarily external or internal? Explain American history
The main conflict in the story is that Elena wants to fit in and not she just not able to. The reasons being are that even at home she not able to feel accepted because her parents are barely at home. The girls that her school makes her feel unwanted. Another event is when she went to Eugene's house the mother had judged her and just when Elena finally felt accepted by Eugene. This conflict is mainly external because its all the thing around her.
What subject is Elena planning to study with Eugene and what other reasons might Ortiz Cofer have for calling this story " American History "
The subject she was is planning to study with Eugene is American history. The author called this story " American History " because it was the day that JFK was assassinated. This later become American history.
What is the theme of American History? Explain.
The theme is personal tragedy. While the adults of El Building come together to grieve the loss of their beloved president while Elena is forced to endure the loss of her friendship with her only friend by herself. She says she tried to feel the right feeling for President Kennedy's assanation but the only tears that came up were for herself.
When President Kennedy died, many Americans felt that their chance to realize the dreams and hopes he had championed, such as racial equality, died with him. Why might Cofer have chosen to set Elena's story on the day of the president's assassination?
To draw a parallel between America's loss of hopes and dreams and Elena's loss. This is reinforced by Kennedy's association with racial equality and Eugene's mother's likely rejection of Elena because of her race.
