Story Analysis Questions “Names / Nombres” Story Analysis Questions

1. From what point of view is the story told? The story is told in the first person point of view. Julia Alverez, the author, is the narrator.

2. In paragraph 1, the family’s name is mispronounced by the immigration officer. Describe the author’s reactions to the mispronunciation. Julia does not like it when the officer mispronounces her family’s name. She wants to correct the officer, but she doesn’t because she is afraid her family will not be allowed in the U.S.

3. Describe the author’s attitude toward her American “new names” on page 116. The author says on page 116 that “ it took awhile to get used to the new names.” She wondered if she should correct everyone who said her name wrong. Julia wants to fit in in America, but the new names do not connect to who she really is.

4. When Mrs. Alvarez quotes Shakespeare on page 116, what advice is she giving Julia about getting along in America? Mrs. Alvarez’s quote means that even if people mispronounce Julia’s name, she is still the same person. Her advice is to get along with others and not let the names bother her.

5. On page 117, why did the author state that her younger sister, Ana, “had the easiest time of all”? Ana had the easiest time adjusting to her new home because her name sounded more American that the other sisters’ names.

6. As a teenager, why does Julia want to be called Judy 6. As a teenager, why does Julia want to be called Judy? How do you think her attitudes have changed since then? When she was a teenager, Julia wanted to blend in with her friends and not be seen as different. Her attitude changes as she learns to be proud of her unique heritage.

7. Cite the evidence from pages 117-118 that demonstrates that Julia did not want to be treated as the “rare, exotic friend.” On page 117, Julia says she knows her friends are curious about her heritage, but she just wants to blend in and not be seen as different or as a “foreigner.”

8. How does the description of Julia’s extended family on pages 118-119 further reveal her need to fit in? On pages 118-119, Julia is nervous about introducing her large family to her friends at graduation. She says their family relationships were “convoluted.” She has more family members at her graduation than her friends do.

9. How does Alvarez’s attitude about her and her family being different change during the story? Cite evidence from the story in your answer. Julia’s attitude changes because she learns to merge her new life in America with her family’s heritage. At first she struggled to fit in, but she realizes she can belong in America and keep her Dominican Republic heritage.

10. What would you say is the main idea of the essay 10. What would you say is the main idea of the essay? Write one significant quotation from the story that you think supports your idea. -many possible answers