Names/Nombres & King Midas

Names/ Nombres

How does the following analogy impact the meaning of the text? (RL.2.4)

“I was too afraid we wouldn’t be let in if I corrected the man’s pronunciation, but I said our name to myself, opening my mouth wide for the organ blast of the a, trilling my tongue for the drumroll of the r, All-vah-rrr-es! How could anyone get Elbures out of that orchestra of sound?” (Paragraph 1)

• It creates the shameful tone of the text.

• It explains the character’s love of music.

• It introduces the narrator’s cultural pride.

• It introduces the narrator’s cultural pride.

Read the quotation from the passage:

“My initial desire to be known by my correct Dominican name had faded. I just wanted to be Judy and merge with the Sallys and Janes in my class. But, inevitably, my accent and coloring gave me away.” (Paragraph 15)

What does the use of the word inevitably suggest in this excerpt? (RL.2.4)

• That the narrator knew she would be unable to fit in with her peers

• That the narrator expected to be able to fully integrate with her friend

• That the narrator was successful with blending in with her classmates

• That the narrator was disappointed when she was continually excluded

Part A: How is the narrator's point of view different from her mother’s? (RL.2.6)

• The narrator hates being called by nicknames and her mother prefers nicknames.

• The narrator prefers her English name and her mother prefers her daughter’s Dominican name.

• The narrator connects her identity to what she is called and her mother doesn’t think names are that important.

• The narrator corrects people on the pronunciation of her name and her mother just goes along with whatever people call her.

Part B: How does the difference in point of view impact the meaning and tone of the text? (RL.2.6)

• It allows the reader to see the narrator’s transformation into accepting her new identity.

• It allows the reader to see the narrator’s struggle for belonging as a Dominican and an American.

• It allows the reader to see the narrator’s frustration at people’s ignorance about correct pronunciation.

• It allows the reader to see the narrator’s anger towards her family for constantly reminding her of her Dominican heritage.

Select three elements of structure that contribute to the meaning and style of the text. (RL.2.5)

• Use of figurative language to illustrate the beauty of the narrator’s native language.

• Use of italics to emphasize the names and mispronunciations the narrator must deal with.

• Use of humor to emphasize the narrator’s reflection on fond memories from her childhood.

• Use of dialogue to illustrate the cultural misunderstandings and differences between characters.

• Use of a third person narrator to allow for understanding her family and friends’ feelings about the narrator.

The Myth of King Midas

Use of a third person narrator to allow for understanding her family and friends’ feelings about the narrator.

• extreme wealth

• obsessive greed

• intense generosity

• overwhelming kindness

Part B: Select three words or phrases in the text that provide clues to the meaning. (RL.2.4 and RL.1.1)

One answer includes: Ⓕ Money was his obsession.

• Ⓐ Even though he was very rich

• Ⓑ Midas thought that his greatest happiness was provided by gold...

• Ⓒ he used to spend his days counting his golden coins!

• Ⓓ Occasionally he used to cover his body with gold objects

• Ⓔ as if he wanted to bathe in them.

What does the use of the word curse suggest in paragraph 4? (RL.2.4)

• Midas enjoyed his newly gained power.

• Midas was under the influence of magic.

• Midas had a spell put on him by an enemy.

• Midas understood the terrible nature of his wish.

Read this excerpt from the passage.

Midas thought for a while and then he said: I wish for everything I touch to turn to gold. Dionyssus warned the king to reconsider his wish, but Midas would not be deterred. Dionyssus could do nothing else and promised the king that from that day on everything he touched would turn into gold. (Paragraph 2)

How does Dionyssus's point of view in this excerpt increase the tension in the passage? (RL.2.6)

• His promise to Midas allows the reader to anticipate the meanness of the trick Dionyssus is playing on Midas.

• Because he grants Midas’s wish, the reader understands how much power Midas will now have over his kingdom.

• His attempt to convince Midas to make a different wish hints to the reader that the outcome of the wish may be negative.

• His warning about Midas’s wish makes the reader excited to see how Midas will put his new power to use to help his people.

Part A: Select how Midas’s perspective shifts throughout the passage. (RL.2.6)

• From being rich and greedy to generous and poor because he gives away all his gold.

• From understanding the importance of family to focus on the need for gold and riches.

• From believing in the power of the gods to seeing the reality of what they are capable of.

• From obsessing over gold and money to understanding that other things, like family, are more important.