English 3H - Latin American Literature CT

I. What are the origins of the terms “Latino”, “Hispanic”, and “Chicano”?

Latino: language based

Hispanic: geography based

Chicano: conquistador based, derogatory

I. Latin American literature is most similar to what other type of literature?

Native American literature

I. What historical event(s) most impacted Latin American literature?

The Cuban Revolution which began the Latin Boom

I. What were the reasons for and the characteristics of the Latin Boom?

Reasons for: The Cuban Revolution

Characteristics: magical realism was popular, novels were rebellious and experimental, new prosperity, showed confidence in themselves, worry over modernization

II. What kind of folktale character is the Indian in “The Indian and the 100 Cows”?

He is an oppressed citizen seeking revenge over his oppressor

II. What conflicts are present within “The Indian and the 100 Cows”?

External conflicts between individuals, cultures, and worldviews

II. Based on “The Indian and the 100 Cows”, what are Pre-Colombian vs. Post-Colombian traits?

Pre-Colombian: folktales before European influence (e.i. Columbus), king/Chieftain, tribal origin, world creation

Post-Colombian: contemporaries after European influence, Bible influence, still oral tradition

II. What internal conflicts does Lola face in “Islandborn”?

Not remembering her culture and heritage, grappling with who she is as an immigrant, and finding ‘home’

II. What is the overall theme of “Islandborn”?

No matter how far away a person’s ‘home’ may be geographically, it is always with them in their heart.

II. How are Walter Whitman and Pablo Neruda alike?

Heavily inspired by Whitman, Neruda includes topics of love, enchantment, political instability, and history

II. What prominent imagery and symbolism were used in “Full Powers”?

Nature, oceans, contradictions (sea on fire, life/death, day/night)

II. To what does “Full Powers” refer?

Neruda’s creative capabilities and his writing process

II. How is Alicia’s death foreshadowed in “The Feather Pillow”?

The hallucinations she faces, the weakness and suffering she experiences for five days and five nights, the way her character changes throughout the short story, etc.

II. What is the message about women and marriage in “The Feather Pillow”?

The spiritual and mental curiosities of women are destroyed by marriage, with the parasite serving as a symbol of her soul being gradually destroyed throughout her marriage

II. What traits in “The Feather Pillow” point to Dark Romanticism?

The tragedy at the end, the hallucinations experienced, the idea of a death caused by unknown circumstances, etc.

III. Colombia

Where is Gabriel Garcia Marquez from?

III. Puerto Rico

Where is Judith Ortiz Cofer from?

III. Mexico

Where is Sandra Cisneros from?

III. The Dominican Republic

Where is Junot Díaz from?

Uruguay

Where is Horacio Quiroga from?

Chile

Where is Pablo Neruda from?