Analyzing "Snow" by Julia Alvarez

Which central idea BEST represents the ideas in the text "Snow" by Julia Alvarez?

• Education is an important factor in a child's life.

• Nuclear war was a fear for Americans in the 1960s.

• It is important not to repeat history.

• Children's innocence can be impacted by political events.

What is the connotative meaning of the word "peculiar" as used in the description of the Sisters of Charity?

• Strange and unfamiliar.

• Common and ordinary.

• Unique and special.

• Elegant and graceful.

Answer explanation

Connotative: Suggests or connects to an additional meaning beyond the literal definition.

Long black gowns and bonnets are not typical clothing. People also do not usually appear to be in "mourning" (grief). Therefore, peculiar suggests that the nuns are strange and unfamiliar.

How does the author develop the central idea of innocence in the text?

• By describing Yolanda's misunderstanding of snow as a bomb.

• By explaining the process of learning English.

• By detailing the air raid drills at school.

• By illustrating the beauty of snowflakes.

How does the author refine the meaning of the term "snow" throughout the text?

• By comparing it to the threat of a bomb.

• By associating it with the beauty and uniqueness of individuals.

• By describing it as a symbol of fear.

• By explaining its scientific properties.

Answer explanation

Refine: Make an idea more subtle and accurate

Correct Answer: By associating it with the beauty and uniqueness of individuals.

Alvarez is showing how Yolanda's experiences as an immigrant are beautiful and unique (like her name), even though she may appear confused or out of place among her American classmates while she learns the language. Therefore, the snow is a symbol for beauty and uniqueness among people.

How does the style of the text contribute to its emotional impact?

• By using technical jargon and complex sentences.

• By focusing solely on historical facts.

• By incorporating vivid imagery and personal anecdotes.

• By using a formal and detached tone.

Answer explanation

Anecdote: a short amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person.

What rhetorical device does the author use to convey the contrast between fear and beauty?

• Metaphor

• Irony

• Simile

• Personification

Answer explanation

Irony: A contrast between what the audience knows and what is unclear to the character.

The audience understood that white flakes on a cold November day must be snow. However, Yolanda had no experience with snow, but heard lots of descriptions of nuclear fallout as small, floating flakes. Yolanda experiences fear before she can see the beauty of snow that the reader understands.

How does the interaction between the ideas of fear and innocence enhance the complexity of the text?

• By showing that fear can overshadow innocence.

• By suggesting that innocence is irrelevant in the face of fear.

• By illustrating that innocence can exist even in times of fear.

• By indicating that fear and innocence are unrelated.

Answer explanation

• -By showing that fear can overshadow innocence: INCORRECT Once Yolanda knew it was snow, she her fear dissolved and she saw beauty.

-By suggesting that innocence is irrelevant in the face of fear: INCORRECT Her innocence returned once she knew it was snow.

-By indicating that fear and innocence are unrelated: INCORRECT Her innocence was temporarily lost when she feared the nuclear bomb, then returned when her she understood it was snow.

-By illustrating that innocence can exist even in times of fear: CORRECT Her innocence caused her to mistake snow for fall out, but also allowed her to see the beauty in snow.

In a short-response paragraph, analyze how Yolanda's innocence in "Snow" compares to Travis' innocence in "A Raisin in the Sun". Think about how their experiences are similar AND different.

-Provide one example from EACH story to support your answer. Cite your quotes! (Author, p. #).

- Be sure to use academic English (capitalization, punctuation, complex sentence structure, high-level vocabulary).

Answer explanation

Similarities:

-Both Yolanda and Travis are children negatively affected by the overall political climate.

-Both children lose some of their innocence because they are exposed to conflicts in the "adult world".

Differences:

-Yolanda is impacted by the fear of nuclear war because she hears about it at home and at school, even though she doesn't fully understand it. She is also scared because she is still learning the language and American culture, so she doesn't always understand what the news is saying or what is happening around her (she didn't understand that the snow was not fall out).

-Travis is impacted by racism, segregation, and generational poverty. We know he is affected because he lives in a dangerous environment (playing with the rat), doesn't have money to bring to school, and doesn't have a place to sleep. If the new baby comes, he will have even less space, money, and freedom to be a kid.