“Eleven” by Sandra Cisneros Realistic Fiction (1991) TEACHER EXAMPLE PRESENTATION

Important NOTE This presentation is intentionally NOT perfect. It generally follows directions, but the level of detail and quality varies; some slides are done better than others. What criticism would YOU give this? How can you rise to AND exceed the level of this presentation?

Questions for the Class 1.Why do students/kids wish they were older? 2.How can someone both be mature and immature? 3.Why/How do people “never grow up”? Explain.

Author: Sandra Cisneros ● Born in Chicago and currently living in Mexico ● Writes short stories and novels about hispanic women and families ● Her best-selling novel, The House on Mango Street, a collection of connected short stories, is common required reading in middle and high schools. ● Source:

Our Opinion of the Story We liked it overall... ● We enjoyed the childlike style of narration, and even though we couldn’t relate to the specific experience with the sweater, we could relate to some of the emotions of feeling embarrassed or feeling like multiple “ages” at once. ● Though not the most exciting plot, the dialogue makes it a quick read. ● It’s a bittersweet story, but it has beautiful language!

Comparison to other Fiction “Eleven” by Sandra C. ● Structure: Narration, then flashback telling the sweater story, then circular ending back to the discussion of age ● Hispanic culture ● Coming of age story about maturity, vulnerability, and social conflict ● Female narrator is 11 years old in the story, set in a classroom and is embarrassed by teacher and peers “Fish Cheeks” by Amy Tan ●Structure: briefly mentions crush on a boy, and quickly transitions into the story of the dinner party; flashback is more subtle ●Chinese culture ●Coming of age story about culture and being proud of where you come from ●Female narrator is 14 years old in the story, set at her home over a family dinner at Christmas, and temporarily embarrassed by her family’s behavior

Non-fiction Connection The ages of are considered “early adolescence”, a time of physical and mental transition as children’s ability to reason, see long-term consequences, and see outside themselves develops. It is probably not a coincidence that Cisneros chose this age - a sometimes awkward and/or confusing one - as Rachel’s age during a story that is all about discomfort with age and maturity. Source: 14-years-overviewhttp:// 14-years-overview

Author’s Theme/Message ● Cisneros is suggesting that vulnerability is present in all ages and is a part of the human experience; it doesn’t automatically disappear with age or maturity. o Rachel says that even adults still cry sometimes o The story is an example of how life isn’t easy, and at all ages we will have to overcome adversity. o If it’s true that you’re “still ten... underneath”, then that suggests that your immaturity never fully disappears.

Quotes ● Famous Quote: “What they don’t understand about birthdays and what they never tell you is that when you’re eleven, you’re also ten, and nine, and eight..”(1). ● Difficult part: The last paragraph uses the simile of a red balloon to describe how she is feeling, and it’s a bit ambiguous. (Does she really want to be older, or just wish today hadn’t happened? What does she think the future will be like when she’s older? Is she right?)

Literary Devices 1.Bildungsroman (spiritual education): this is a “coming of age” story about Rachel’s gradual process of growing up. 2.Dramatic irony: we know the sweater isn’t hers, but neither we nor Rachel can express that to the teacher. 3.Man vs. Self conflict: Rachel is battling her own immaturity, even wishing she were older. 4.Indirect Characterization: We hear Rachel’s inner thoughts and events (instead of being told from an omniscient narrator what she looks like) 5.Foil Character: Sylvia Salvidar is a classmate who Rachel might be jealous of and is a contrast to Rachel because SHE is actually able to articulate things to adults. (The two girls are, in many ways, opposites.) 6.Unreliable Narrator: Rachel’s perception of what happened could be flawed 7.Simile: Rachel says that “the way you grow old is kind of like an onion...”

Q&A We are now happy to answer at least 3 questions that the class might have for us! Please ask us serious clarification questions that will help you understand the story better

Thank you for listening!