Before+We+were+Free+by+Julia+Alvarez

Book Report ** a. identify climax, major conflict, resolution or denoument, what type of plot (see page of literary terms) b. comment about setting c. identify one major symbol and one minor. d. discuss two characters. Label as round or flat, dynamic or static. Are they archetypal or foils? e. Open to the exact middle. What page? Write one paragraph about how this one page relates thematically, symbolically, or other (just not all plot) to the rest of the book. f. Tell me one thing other that really only someone who has read the book will get.
 * Before We Were Free
 * The climax in the story is when the SIM (secrete police) marches in Anita’s (the protagonist) house and searches for the body of El Jefe (the dictator), who was killed by Anita’s father and uncle.
 * The resolution is when Mr. Washburn comes to announce the death of Anita’s father and uncle.
 * The setting which is clearly described by the author, as she introduces the compound to an American guest, illustrates the unity of the family. The compound which she lives in was first constructed by her grandfather, than distributed to his children, Anita’s father, uncles and aunts. The setting allows one of the biggest theme; the importance of family, to be delivered to the reader.
 * A minor symbol is the portrait of the dictator. When Anita’s father, uncle and other protestors have meetings, they turn the portrait of the dictator so they don’t see his face when they’re planning to kill him.
 * A major symbol is the word “butterfly” which is used as a secrete code to describe the first protestors. Also, “flying” is very much used to represent the idea of freedom.
 * Anita: round, dynamic, foils
 * She is 12 years old and is a typical girl. The POV of the narrations really mature through out the story that the reader gets to know her personality and understand her point of views clearly. With all the chaos and outside influence, she matures and becomes very similar to her sister. There are many references to her sister’s actions, comparing the two of them.
 * Sam: flat, static, archetypal
 * Sam is an American kid, son of the American consul, who lives next door to Anita. He is a very bright and outgoing child, but is very immature. Compared to the maturing Anita, he seems to remain a kid, even after an entire year has passed.
 * This page (81-82) is about the departure of the Washburns (the family of the consul next door), the increasing amount of people getting arrested, and Anita’s personality change to a quite person, isolating herself from others, including her mom. This page illustrates the many transformations that occur in this novel. The main theme of this novel is becoming independent. Anita becomes mentally independent at such a young age and tries not to depend on her stressed out poor mother. She believes she is brave and promises her father to never let him down.
 * My favorite character is Oscar!

= HowThe Garcia Girls Lost their Accents =
 * syntax, a combination of spanish and english. makes it seem more realistic.
 * similar theme
 * clear description of her life, family etc.
 * many feminist aspects
 * clearly and interestinglty depicts the characters' foreign experience in America.
 * different episodes of each characters.