Understanding Diondra and Raul

How does Diondra’s description of Raul’s self-portrait reflect her perception of him as an artist and a person?

• She thinks Raul’s self-portrait is poorly done and rushed.

• She admires Raul’s confidence in sharing his work and the care he takes with it.

• She believes Raul is overly dramatic about his art and poetry.

• She feels indifferent about Raul’s self-portrait.

Why do you think Diondra compares herself to Raul when she says, “I’m an artist, like Raul. The difference is, I don’t tell anybody”?

• She thinks Raul is better at art than she is.

• She feels they both enjoy art but she lacks the confidence to share her work.

• She doesn’t consider herself a real artist compared to Raul.

• She thinks Raul shouldn’t share his work either.

How does Diondra’s relationship with her father influence her decision to keep her art private?

• Her father is very supportive of her art, so she doesn’t feel the need to share it with others.

• Her father encourages her to pursue basketball, making her feel her art isn’t important.

• Her father dislikes art and forbids her from creating it.

• Her father doesn’t know about her interest in art.

What do Tyrone’s comments about Diondra’s reading her poem reveal about his perspective on her personality?

• He sees her as overly confident and arrogant.

• He thinks she is shy but admires her effort to share her work.

• He believes she’s too nervous to present in public.

• He doesn’t care about her performance at all.

What does Diondra’s desire to include a basketball jersey in the trash in her self-portrait suggest about her feelings toward her identity and others' expectations of her?

• She enjoys playing basketball but wants to express her artistic side more.

• She resents the pressure to play basketball and wants to reject that part of her identity.

In what ways does the Harlem Renaissance project help Diondra and Raul explore their identities?

• It allows them to avoid discussing identity and focus on historical events.

• It gives them the freedom to express their struggles and individuality through art and poetry.

• It pressures them to conform to the expectations of their teacher and classmates.

• It helps them compete to see who is the better artist.

How does Devon’s realization in the library, sparked by Janelle’s actions, reflect a shift in his perspective about being himself?

• He realizes he can pursue his love of books without fear of judgment.

• He decides to stop reading and focus on basketball full-time.

• He becomes angry at Janelle for exposing his secret.

• He decides to keep hiding his interests from his peers.

How do themes of identity and self-expression emerge in both Diondra’s and Devon’s narratives?

• Both characters embrace societal expectations to avoid conflict.

• Both characters confidently reject societal expectations from the beginning.

• Both characters struggle with expectations but find ways to express their true selves through art and poetry.

• Both characters give up on self-expression due to fear of judgment.

What role does art play in helping characters like Diondra, Raul, and Devon navigate their personal struggles?

• Art helps them escape their problems but doesn’t address them directly.

• Art allows them to communicate their true selves and process their identities.

• Art creates more challenges for them as it exposes their vulnerabilities.

• Art doesn’t play a significant role in their stories.

Imagine you are Diondra. Which of the following elements would you most likely include in your self-portrait to reflect your inner identity?