Mr. Clean & the Barrio Questions

Chapter 1

1.     LRA 3.4

How would the use of onomatopoeia change the initial fight scene? Explain.

2.     LRA 3.1

Identify an example of diction.  Why does the author choose to use it?

3.     LRA 3.6

Explain the importance of the flashback.

Mr. Clean & the Barrio Questions

Chapter 2

1. LRA 3.7

     What does the opening metaphor in chapter 2 lead you to believe about Trigger? Explain.

2. LRA 3.4

     Do you think Trigger can be trusted based on what he tells Jacobo? Explain.

3. LRA 3.7

     Why did the author use the image of the exploding cigarette? Explain.

Mr. Clean & the Barrio Questions

Chapter 3

1. LRA 3.4

     Compare and contrast the setting of chapter 3 with the setting in the first two chapters? Explain.

2. LRA 3.3

     Describe Lolieh’s relationship with his mother. Give   

     textual evidence to support your description.

3. LRA 3.6

     Where do you think Lolieh and his mother will move? Why?

Mr. Clean & the Barrio Questions

Chapter 4

1. LRA 3.5

     Pretend you are the teacher. Why is it important to 

     make sure everyone follows directions? Explain.

2. LRA 3.3

     Why do you think Jacob gives Lolieh the pencil? What  does this say about his character?

3. LRA 3.11

     How does the mood of the chapter change when the  

     two boys get on the bus? Explain.

Mr. Clean & the Barrio Questions

Chapter 5

1. LRA 3.3

     What does Jacob have to do to end the conflict with 

 Lil’ Crazy?  Do you think this will truly end the conflict? Explain.

2. LRA 3.6

     Why does Jacob think that he should have made  

     himself some eggs? Explain.

Mr. Clean & the Barrio Questions

Chapter 6

1. LRA 3.7

     How does the author use figurative language to

     describe the alley? Explain.

2. LRA 3.10

     Is Lil’ Crazy Jacob’s foil? Explain using textual

     evidence.

3. LRA 3.3

     How will Jacob getting jumped affect the plot?

     Explain.

Mr. Clean & the Barrio Questions

Chapter 7

1. LRA 3.9

    How does the narrator affect the tone and credibility of the text? Explain.

2. LRA 3.3

    Choose two characters and explain their relationship. Describe how it affects the plot.

3. LRA 3.4

     What is the relevance of the setting in this chapter? How does it affect Jacob’s idea of what has occurred? Explain.

Mr. Clean & the Barrio Questions

Chapter 8

1. LRA 3.4

    Why doesn’t Lil’ Crazy tell the others about the blood? What does this say about his character? Explain.

2. LRA 3.3

    How has Jacob a.k.a. Mr. Clean and Lil’ Crazy’s relationship changed since they first met?

Mr. Clean & the Barrio Questions

Chapter 9

1. LRA 3.4

    What character traits become more obvious as Jacob talks to  Lolieh? Explain.

2. LRA 3.6

    What do you think Lolieh’s lack of communication symbolizes?  Explain.

3. LRA 3.8

    How does the last sentence affect the mood? Why did the author include this?

Mr. Clean & the Barrio Questions

Chapter 10

1. LRA 3.7

    What can you tell about Melody from this chapter? Give textual evidence to support your conclusions.

2. LRA 3.10

    Describe the function of this scene’s design? Explain.

3. Identify an example of figurative language in this chapter and explain its significance.

Mr. Clean & the Barrio Questions

Chapter 11

1. LRA 3.6

    What does the map Crazy put in his pocket tell you? Explain.

2. LRA 3.7

    Explain what the mirror symbolizes in this chapter.

3. LRA 3.8

    Is the fact that Mr. Clean doesn’t smoke a contradiction? Explain.

Mr. Clean & the Barrio Questions

Chapter 12

1. LRA 3.10

    What are the major differences between Lil’ Crazy and Mr. Clean? Similarities?

2. LRA 3.3

    How does the death of Lil’ Crazy affect the plot? What are Jacob’s next steps to freedom?

3. LRA 3.6

    Find an example of irony in this chapter and explain its

    significance.

Mr. Clean & the Barrio Questions

Chapter 13

1. LRA 3.3

    How has alcohol affected the characters actions overall? Explain.

2. LRA 3.4

    What is the significance of the narrow walkway leading to Jacob’s apartment? Explain.

3. LRA 3.3

    Pretend you are Trigger. Why is it important to 

    make sure everyone follows directions? Explain.

Mr. Clean & the Barrio Questions

Chapter 14

1. LRA 3.6

    Was there any foreshadowing that would you to believe that Trigger would die the way that he did? Explain.

2. LRA 3.10

    Why do you think there was no dialogue between Melody and Jacob during the march?

3. LRA 3.3

    Do you think Jacob is free? Explain.

10 Prompts and Suggestions for

Final Essays/ Reports on

Mr. Clean and the Barrio

1. RC 2.4

    How does the author feel about culture? Use textual evidence to defend and clarify your interpretations.

2. LRA 3.2

    Write a thesis telling what the theme of the novel is and use textual evidence to prove it.

3. LRA 3.9

    Analyze the philosophical arguments presented in the novel and determine whether the author’s position has contributed to the quality of the novel and the credibility of the characters.

4. WA 2.1

    What will happen next for Jacob/Jacobo/Mr. Clean. Write the next chapter of Mr. Clean and the Barrio.

5. LRA 3.8

    Is it clear how the author feels about immigration? Write an essay  describing the author’s political views and defend your assumption using textual evidence.

6.  WA 2.3

     Write a reflective composition noting similarities between your life and one of the character’s lives from the novel. Be sure to note  how the differences have contributed to a different outcome.

7. WA 2.4

    Write a historical investigative report telling, ”what happened to  the Indians?” Include the treaties, AIM, and recent casino  legislation.

8. WA 2.1

    Jacob had three facets to his personality, Jacobo the son and Latino, Jacob the acculturated teen, and Mr. Clean the reluctant but capable gangster. Break your personality down into three parts,  give each a name, and explain how each one helps you survive.

9. RC 2.4 LRA 3.3

    Create a timeline of the key events in the novel. Use the timeline to  write a summary of the novel explaining key events and how they  advance the plot.

10. LRA 3.7

      Analyze the novel and explain how it shows the heritage, traditions, attitudes, and beliefs of the author.