Study Questions & Essay Topics
Study Questions
1. How do María's
and Gabriel's attitudes regarding the process of growing up relate
to Antonio's future?
2. Antonio struggles
to choose between his maternal and paternal heritages. What are
the conflicts within his parents' heritages?
3. How does seeing
Andrew at Rosie's house affect Antonio's opinion of Andrew?
4. Antonio has
a dream in which the golden carp's prophecy comes true. How does
his dream demonstrate Antonio's growing understanding of the religion
of the golden carp?
5. When Ultima
blesses Antonio on his first day of school, he feels the power of
a whirlwind surround him. How does local folklore regard whirlwinds?
What realization do whirlwinds help Antonio make about good and
evil?
Suggested Essay Topics
1. Both Ultima and Narciso are
called “magic” by various characters in the book. Compare and contrast
the characters of Ultima and Narciso. How does Ultima's brand of
magic differ from Narciso's? How are they alike? In what sense might
each character be called “magic”?
2. What does Antonio learn from
his conversation with Gabriel during the trip to El Puerto after
Florence's death? How does this lesson help to prepare him for the
challenges that lie ahead?
3. What is the significance of
the conflict between English-speakers and Spanish-speakers that
Antonio encounters at school? Why is language so important in the
novel? In what sense does this conflict give Antonio perspective
on the conflict within his family?
4. In María's view, how are sexuality,
adulthood, and sin related? Why is childhood preferable to adulthood?
How do these factors influence her desire for Antonio to become
a priest? And how does María's own childhood influence her current
beliefs?
5. What does Antonio learn from
watching Gabriel cope with the rebellion of Antonio's brothers?
