Question

Lesson 3: Reading and Activities

Learning Goals:
I can analyze how an author's choices concerning how to structure specific parts of a text
contribute to its overall structure and meaning
1 can analyze a case in which grasping point of view requires distinguishing what is
directly stated in a text from what is really meant.
I can draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection,
and research.
Reading Questions, Pages 84-159
EXPLAIN
ELABORATE
DIRECTIONS: Use your reading of The Distance Between Us to answer the following
questions in complete sentences. Include evidence from the text to support your responses.
1. Why does Reyna choose to start Chapter 12 with the story about her father?
2. If something is justified, that means it has good reasons and is right. Are Mami's actions at the
end of Chapter 12 justified? Be sure to explain why her actions are justified or not.
English Extended Reading Credit 4

Answer 1

Reyna Grande may begin Chapter 12 with the story about her father to set the tone and provide context, which affects the text's overall structure and meaning. Whether Mami's actions are justified at the end of Chapter 12 requires careful analysis of her character and situation using evidence from the text. This deepens the understanding of the narrative's complexities and character dynamics.

Analysis of Reyna Grande's Narrative Choices

In The Distance Between Us, Reyna Grande meticulously structures her narrative to heighten the emotional impact and provide deeper insights into her experiences and perspectives. By opening Chapter 12 with the story about her father, the author may be employing this strategy to draw readers into the dynamics of her family history or to shed light on pivotal moments that define the relationships within her narrative. This choice can influence the overall structure and meaning of the text, as it likely sets the tone for the chapter and provides context for the events and decisions that follow.

Regarding Mami's actions at the end of Chapter 12, determining whether her actions are justified requires a careful consideration of the circumstances and motivations presented in the text. From one viewpoint, if her actions are depicted as a response to overwhelming circumstances or as protective gestures, they may be seen as justified. Conversely, if her decisions appear to stem from self-interest or neglect, readers may interpret them as unjust. To assess her actions fully, one must analyze the nuances of Mami's character and the complexities of her situation, relying on evidence from the text to argue either for or against justification.

An analytical approach to this literary work demands close-reading and reflection on the author's narrative techniques, such as her selection of stories to open chapters and the portrayal of characters' actions and motivations. By examining literary elements and evidence within the text, students can provide a nuanced interpretation and back their analysis through textual support.