Aim: How does Junot Diaz use superstition and culture to set up the novel?

Introduction - Fuku

Who is Oscar Wilde?•Oscar Wilde: 1854-1900•Irish writer and poet•Remembered for epigrams and plays•Imprisoned for two years (hard labor) for

“ gross indecency”•“Be yourself. Everyone else is already

taken.”•Oscar Wao is Spanish for Wilde. Why do

you think Junot Diaz chose this as the title and characters name?

How does Diaz set up the novel?

•Use of footnotes•Second person narration•Introduction to culture = will it play a

major role in the novel?

Who is Rafael Leonidas Trujillo Molina?

•He was the dictator of Dominican Republic (DR) from 1930-1938, 1942-1952

•Died in 1961 •A. K. A: El Jefe, The Failed Cattle Thief,

amonst other names. •Ruled with an iron fist and instilled fear in

all•How does Diaz make him a character by

his description in footnote 1?

How is the Power of Trujillo juxtaposition to the power of the fuku?

How can a Fuku and Zafa be defined?

Fuku Zafa

Who is the “Watcher?”

•Based on what the “Watcher” says about his fuku and counterspell, who do you think the story will be about?

Aim: How can Oscar be characterized?Do Now: S, Q, E:How has Oscar been affected by his childhood and adolescence?

Chapter 1

How is Oscar treated growing up?•Ideas of culture•Ideas of Hispanic males

Describe Oscar’s relationship with Ana.•How is the idea of love introduced?•How does Oscar feel about love?•What type of relationship does Oscar

really have with Ana?

Aim: How can Lola’s relationship with her mother be characterized?

Do Now: Statement, Quotation, ExplanationHow does Lola drastically change after her mother is diagnosed with cancer?

Ch 2

How can Lola Be characterized?•What is she like at home? •What is she like at school? •Physical features?

How can Belicia (Lola and Oscar’s mother) be characterized?•What is she like at home? •What is she like as a mother? •Physical features?

How is the motif of feminine sexuality and power conveyed in this chapter?•Look closely at descriptions of the two

female characters•Why does Belicia react so harshly to Lola

cutting her hair?•How do men view them?

How does Lola change?

•Wildwood – Aldo •Dominican Republic – La Inca, Rosio,

track, Max

Aim: Who is Belicia?

Do Now: Statement, Quotation, ExplanationHow is Belicia similar to Oscar and Lola?

Ch 3: 77-89

How can Belicia’s childhood be described?•Who is La Inca?•What is her home life like?•What is implied about Beli’s parents and

their lifestyle?•How are things for Beli at school?•What does Beli have in common with

Oscar? Lola?

Aim: Who is Belicia?

Do Now: Statement, Quotation, ExplanationHow is Beli affected by her “breakup” with Pujols?

Ch 3: 89-113

Beli’s first heartbreak

•How Beli goes about getting Pujos’ attention

•Beli’s reaction to getting caught•Beli quits school – receives a different

education

History of Dominican Republic intertwined the Beli’s history?•Balaguer•Jesus de Galindez•Rafael Yepez•Ramfis Trujillo (Rafael Leonidas Trujillo

Martinez)•Johnny Abbes Garcia

Aim: Who Belicia?

Do Now: Statement, Quotation, ExplanationHow has Beli’s relationship with the Gangster changed her?

Ch 3: 114-138

How does Beli come in to herself?•She becomes a real woman•He exposes her to life•Beli’s whole demeanor changes•She believes he will marry her

Did Beli bring her tragedy on herslef?

•She had an out and doesn’t take it•Until the end she believes The Gangster

will marry her•She goes to see him before she departs

for NYC•Did growing up without a father figure

contribute to her downfall? (Think about Freud's Oedipus complex)

Aim: How is Belicia’s life forever changed?

Do Now: Statement, Quotation, ExplanationHow is Beli’s encounter with the mongoose and La Inca’s prayer representative of the Dominican culture?Ch 3 138-165

Magical Realism/The Supernatural•The man with no face•La Inca’s prayer•The mongoose•Beli’s survival•Fuku vs. Zafa

Aim: Why is the “Watcher’s” identity revealed at this time?

Chap 4

Who is the Watcher?

•Yunior = Lola’s on again off again boyfriend

Aim: How is Lola’s view of life different from Oscar’s?

Do Now: Statement, Quotation, ExplanationWhy do you think Lola says she doesn’t believe in curses. “I think there is only life” (Pg 205.) and “You can never run away. Not ever. The only way out is in” (Pg 209.)?

Intro II: 204-210

Aim: How do the Carbrals connect to Trujillo?

Do Now: Statement, Quotation, ExplanationHow does knowing the family history shed light on the fuku they all appear to suffer from?

Chap 5: 211-237

Aim: How do the Carbrals connect to Trujillo?

Do Now: Statement, Quotation, ExplanationHow have all of the Cabrals suffered as a result of Abelard’s arrest? Fuku or coincidence?

Chap 5: 237-261

Aim: How do the Carbrals connect to Trujillo?

Do Now: Statement, Quotation, ExplanationHow does Beli cope with her past? Think about her life from birth to 10 years old, living in Azua and the burning.

Aim: Why does Oscar decide to go to Santo Domingo?

Do Now: Statement, Quotation, ExplanationWhy does Oscar allow himself to fall into the same type of relationships with women?

Chap 6

Aim: How has Oscar’s life changed as a result of going to Santo Domingo?

Do Now: Statement, Quotation, ExplanationHow is Oscar’s beating a mirror image of Beli’s past?

Pt III: 311-335

Exam•Answer the following questions in

complete sentences.•Be sure to use specific examples from the

text to support your response for each question.

•Remember: many students suspect that “my opinion is as good as anybody else’s.” However, the truth is that “my opinion is only as good as the evidence that backs it up.” Use specific examples and details from the text to support your answer

1.Define the term fuku. How is it thought to affect people?

2.How has culture played an important role in the novel thus far?

3.Define second (2) person narration. Why do you think Junot Diaz switches from first to second person?

4.How can Oscar be characterized? How do these characteristics prevent him from changing his life?

5.How does Oscar’s childhood and adolescence affect him? Provide at least two (2) examples from the text.

6. Why is Oscar so devistated by Ana’s boyfriend Manny’s return? How does this affect him emotionally?

7. How can Lola be characterized?

8. How does Lola’s relationship with her mother, or lack there of affect her growing up?

9. How does Lola change as a result of moving to Santo Domingo and living with her abuela?

10.How can Oscar and Lola’s mother be characterized? Do you believe she cares for her children at all?

Bonus Question:•Define the term Zafa. What is its function

in Dominican Culture?