Chicago, Illinois
1. Describe what your dreams are for the rest of your life and tell how you plan to achieve these dreams.
2. Explain how the pictures on this page are tied into this Section of the book.
Section 4
May 1930
Vocabulary
1. careen--to lurch from side to side while moving rapidly
2. crevices--narrow openings caused by a crack or split
3. disreputable--having a bad reputation; not reliable or truthful; not honest
4. heifer--a cow that has not had a calf, but in this story, it is used as an
insult to a woman
5. nouveau riche--a person who has only recently become rich, not one whose
family has had money for generations
6. prodigal--exceedingly and recklessly wasteful
7. raucous--loud and rowdy
8. staccato--made up of abrupt, distinct elements of sound (like a package of
fireworks that has all been lit at once)
9. vibrant--vigorous, energetic, radiant, sparkling, bright
| Setting Chicago, Illinois |
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Writing Topics 1. Describe what your dreams are for the rest of your life and tell how you plan to achieve these dreams. 2. Explain how the pictures on this page are tied into this Section of the book. |
| Characters Luvenia Lewis--age 16 Miss Etta--Luvenia's godmother Mrs. Deets Mr. Deets Florenz Deets Katie |
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Questions
1. Miss Etta does many things for Luvenia throughout the course of this section
of the story. What are some of these things?
2. Why is it important to have an "advocate" like Miss Etta is for Luvenia? Who
is your own "Miss Etta"?
3. How would you explain why Florenz Deets doesn't try to make amends to Luvenia
for the loss of her job?
4.Florenz Deets and Katie are friends and get along well together, but are
different in many ways. Compare and contrast Florenz and Katie.. Be sure to
consider physical appearance, philosophy, and treatment of Luvenia.
5. Many people think of a "northern" city like Chicago as a place where racial
tolerance would be much greater than in a similar "southern" city. Give examples
of both racial tolerance and racial intolerance in Luvenia's Chicago. Use
specific examples from the book.
6. Luvenia also experiences obstacles due to her gender. Describe some of these.
7. What are Luvenia's dreams/goals for her life? What is she doing to make them
come true? What obstacles does she face?
8. Luvenis claims that she is proud of her father but that she doesn't want to
be like him. In what ways is she like her father? In what ways is she different
from him? USE A DOUBLE BUBBLE MAP TO ANSWER THIS QUESTION>
9. Luvenia has three dreams after asking Mrs. Deets to guarantee her job. Tell
about each one and explain what you think each means.
10. Compare the relationship of Luvenia and Florenz Deets with the relationship
between Lizzy and Miss Julia (Section 2).
11. Miss Etta gives several pieces of advice to Luvenia. State two of these
pieces of advice and tell whether or not you agree.
12. One thing Luvenia asks of Miss Etta is for her to write a letter to her
father asking him to allow Luvenia to stay in Chicago. Assume the identity of
Miss Etta and write a letter to Elijah stating why Luvenia should be allowed to
stay in Chicago.
13. Read the poem by Langston Hughes to the right.. It what ways does the poem
describe Luvenia's dreams? Which lines(s) from the poem best describe Luvenia's
dreams at the end of the section?
| A Dream
Deferred by Langston Hughes What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore-- And then run? Does it stink like rotten meat? Or crust and sugar over-- like a syrupy sweet? Maybe it just sags like a heavy load. Or does it explode? |
