Do Now: Does your name “fit” you? Take a few minutes and explain how your name does or doesn’t help define who you are.
Discussion Questions (Take Notes)
What things make up a person’s identity?
Can people have multiple identities at the same time?
Where do our values come from?
Reading Questions for “Names/Nombres”
- What does Alvarez mean on page 39 when she says, “It took a while to get used to my new names”?
- What does Alvarez mean on page 40 when she says, “I just wanted to be Judy and merge with the Sallys and Janes my class”?
- In addition to her names, what other things seemed to embarrass young Julia Alvarez? Explain.
- What is the tone of the essay in the last two paragraphs? Has it changed? What do these paragraphs suggest will happen to Julia Alvarez?
- What ideas does this essay have in common with The Great Gatsby?
What comparisons and contrasts did you find between "Nombres and Gatsby"?
"Last Words on Earth" Reading Questions:
1. What is the source of Leo Gursky’s loneliness?
2. How does he cope with his loneliness?
3. Why doesn’t he tell people—especially his “family”—who he is?
4. What themes does this story have in common with The great Gatsby?
Activity/Assignment
Directions: With a partner do the following:
- Closely read a page
- Summarize what happens on the page
- Choose and share a key line
- Explain how this page helps develop character, conflict or theme
- Make a connection to Gatsby or one of the other stories you've read in the compare/contrast unit