The Themes of Identity, Coming of Age, and Family in “When I Was Puerto Rican” by Esmeralda Santiago. “When I was Puerto Rican” by Esmeralda Santiago is an autobiography that shows how Negi goes through many changes based on the challenges she endures by moving to new areas where society is different .
What is the central idea of when I was Puerto Rican?
Students read Esmeralda Santiago’s memoir about her childhood in Puerto Rico and her subsequent move to New York, exploring themes of cultural identity, social mobility and the American Dream .
Why was when I was Puerto Rican written?
Santiago wrote about her childhood in Puerto Rico and her life transition to New York in her debut memoir, “When I was Puerto Rican.” It was a book, she said, written in English but lived in Spanish, as it chronicled the formation of her new multicultural identity .
What happened at the end of When I Was Puerto Rican?
During her audition, Negi forgets a lot of her English and struggles through her monologue . She fears she’ll never get out of Brooklyn. In the epilogue, Negi returns to the Performing Arts High School ten years after graduation to see her mentor.
What does being Puerto Rican mean?
Being Puerto Rican means a lot to me . It means having such an enriched heritage filled with Tianos, Spainard, European, etc. We have such a diverse ethnic background. ... Being Puerto Rican means I’m neither here nor there, but everywhere. Not only did my roots mix my blood by three, but also my cultural identity.
When did Puerto Rican come of age?
When I Was Puerto Rican follows Negi from age 4 to 14 , from early childhood to the beginnings of puberty. As the oldest sibling, Negi is required by Mami to grow up and mature much faster than her younger siblings, male or female. Because of this, Negi is acutely aware of how she mentally and emotionally develops.
Who is Tato in When I Was Puerto Rican?
Tío Cucho is one of Negi’s uncles in Santurce . He sees a woman named Rita, and Mami tells him he can’t bring Rita to her house.
When were Puerto Rican quotes important?
- “I push my cart away, toward the apple and pears of my adulthood, their nearly seedless ripeness predictable and bittersweet” ...
- “I lay on my pillow, whimpering, wondering how the termites knew I’d disobeyed my mother”
What reading level is when I was Puerto Rican?
When I Was Puerto Rican | | Lexile & Reading Level: 1020 .
What is the summary of eating guava?
The most delicious part of the guava surrounds the tiny seeds. If you don’t know how to eat a guava, the seeds end up in the crevices between your teeth . When you bite into a ripe guava, your teeth must grip the bumpy surface and sink into the thick edible skin without hitting the center.
What rules do the children have to follow in El mangle?
El Mangle: What rules do the children have to follow in El Mangle? Dona Lola made them stay inside all day because here was no place to play outside. They had to eat all of her food, even if they didn’t like it . El Mangle: How was Esmeralda treated at school?
What are Puerto Rican beliefs?
Today, Catholicism is the predominant religion in Puerto Rico. Puerto Ricans hold Christianity near and dear to their hearts. It is believed that 75 to 85 percent of the population is either Catholic or has strong Catholic ties. Each city has a patron saint who is celebrated with festivals and religious processionals.
Why did Esmeralda’s family move to Brooklyn?
Although Negi’s home in Macun looks like “a giant version of a lard can” she prefers this barrio and the freedom its countryside offers, when compared to the snobbishness she faces in Santurce and the dark, dangerous world she eventually goes to when her mother uproots the family and moves to Brooklyn to seek a new ...
How do you say bro in Puerto Rico?
Broki . Broki is Puerto Rican slang for “buddy.” Again, this word may look familiar. That’s because it’s derived from the popular English-language slang “bro.” The “ki” suffix makes it diminutive, making the term more affectionate.
What do Puerto Ricans speak?
Both English and Spanish are the official languages in Puerto Rico because it’s a U.S. territory. Puerto Ricans living on the island have a complicated relationship with the United States. They’re proud to be Puerto Rican but also proud to be American citizens.
Why did Esmeraldas mother take pride in her work?
The factory offers Mami an opportunity to explore life outside the barrio. She takes great pride in her work, not only because it brings much needed cash into the household, but because she has independence .
Why is Mami so upset when I was Puerto Rican?
She was overwhelmed by what she called “ the sacrifices I have to endure for you kids,” and my love, expressed in demands, added a greater burden. Each man who did a double take or pledged to love her forever, to take her home with him, to give his life for her, took her away from me.
When I was Puerto Rican How do you eat a guava?
The most delicious part of the guava surrounds the tiny seeds. If you don’t know how to eat a guava, the seeds end up in the crevices between your teeth. When you bite into a ripe guava, your teeth must grip the bumpy surface and sink into the thick edible skin without hitting the center.
What is Puerto Rican Negi real name?
The protagonist and narrator of the book. Negi’s real name is Esmeralda ; she was given “Negi” as a nickname as an infant because her skin was nearly black. She’s the first child that Mami and Papi have together and is four years old when her memoir begins.
What is the central idea of how do you eat a guava?
Today, the guavas are a reminder of the identity that Negi seems to barely have anymore—rather than connect to her past by choosing guavas, she chooses “predictable” fruit . This introduces the idea that Negi struggles with an identity that isn’t necessarily homogenous.
What guava does to the body?
Guavas are an excellent source of dietary fiber . Therefore, eating more guavas may aid healthy bowel movements and prevent constipation. Just one guava can provide 12% of your recommended daily intake of fiber (13). Additionally, guava leaf extract may benefit digestive health.
Why does Esmeralda hate Brooklyn?
The judges thought that Esmeralda’s Puerto Rican identity made her special, although Esmeralda thought that she didn’t get in because she wasn’t being “American” enough. ... She also hates Brooklyn and in Manhattan where the school is, Esmeralda will be away from Brooklyn a lot.
What is Esmeralda’s dream in almost a woman?
Her dream was to fulfill herself as a woman and a person, discover her identity, and find her calling .
What is Esmeralda’s dream?
Esmeralda Santiago’s Dream as a Young Woman
woman. She achieved this by discovering her identity, and ultimately finding her calling through being a proud Latinx female writer.
What is the name of the healer who chooses Negi to close the dead baby’s eyes?
Mami volunteers Negi to close a dead baby’s eyes even though the family is not religious. Negi wants no part of the ceremony, but Mami insists, practically dragging her across the barrio.
Why do Mami and the children dance in the rain?
Mami explains that it’s good luck to get wet in the first May rain , and she leads Delsa and Héctor into the rain.
What is a female Puerto Rican called?
Use la boricua when referring to a female of Puerto Rican descent.
Where is El mangle?
El Mangle is a village in Chihuahua and has about 36 residents and an elevation of 923 metres. El Mangle is situated northwest of Cuchillo Parado.
What are Puerto Rican mixed with?
As a result, Puerto Rican bloodlines and culture evolved through a mixing of the Spanish, African, and indigenous Taíno and Carib Indian races that shared the island. Today, many Puerto Rican towns retain their Taíno names, such as Utuado, Mayagüez and Caguas.
