Liberty by julia alvarez full story

E9 Study Guide

Literature Unit 4: Theme

“Liberty” (pp. 246-251)

Literary Terms

theme universal theme

conflict subject

generalization

BEFORE YOU READ: Consider the images and connotations connected with the word “liberty”.

Complete a concept map (like the example provide below) for the word “liberty” that includes ideas,

images, and feelings associated with the word..

Concept Map for the word liberty:

Sample concept map for the word “bed-sit” (which

is a one-room apartment

typically consisting of a

combined bedroom and sitting

room with cooking facilities.)

Summary Frame

In the (story/poem/novel, ______________ by __________, the author

explores/examines/ illustrates/demonstrates/conveys _______________

_______________________________________________(theme statement about

subject) Initially, the main character_____________________ As the story

progresses, the main character learns/realizes that ________________________.

Ultimately,____________________________________________________

Example: In the poem, “Facing It,” by Yusef Komunyakaa, the author examines the emotional effects of war. Throughout the poem, the main character stares at the

Vietnam War Memorial and observes the reflections of others around him. As the

poem progresses, the speaker realized that many people lost loved ones in the war.

Ultimately, images of the war cannot escape his mind and neither can his conflicting

emotions

ANSWER the following questions:

Summary of the story “Liberty”:

1. What are the main conflicts that are revealed at the opening of the story? (p.

246)

2. What larger conflict is hinted at?

Theme and title: So far the story has been

about the dog, Liberty, but now Papi is speaking

seriously about the concept of liberty when he

says, “All liberty involves sacrifice (248)”

 What is Papi sacrificing for liberty?

 What theme does Papi’s statement suggest?

3. Re-read the following passage from p. 248

of the text:

At the back of the property stood

Liberty’s pen – a chain-link fence

around a dirt square at the center of

which stood a doghouse. Papi had built

it when Liberty first came…It was

always a job to get Liberty into that

pen.”

What does this passage reveal about [the dog]

Liberty?

What theme about liberty might the author be

developing?

Based on the appearance and actions of the

men described in paragraphs 1-3 of page 249,

what can you infer about who these men are

and what they are doing?

(Last two paragraphs of p. 249) What is the

cause of the narrator’s “heyday of liberty”?

What are the effects of her liberty?

How do you think the narrator would define

liberty at this point in the story?

(Paragraphs 2-5 on left column of p. 250)

What is the major conflict in the story at this

point?

How do you think the conflict will be resolved?

Theme and title: Both meanings of the title

come together as Tia Mimi says, “You’re going

to find liberty when you get to the United

States.(251)

How does the narrator interpret her statement?

How does Tia Mimi’s statement contribute to

the story’s theme?

Evidence

Quote or Paraphrase

Page

number

Elaboration/explanation of how this evidence supports ideas of argument

Dialectical Journal: Cite and explain at least three examples of direct evidence from the story that support the essential question.

Essential Question: The author chooses to tell this story

from a child’s point of view. Why is the story more

effective from this point of view than that of the mother or

father?

Remember that the way in which a main character

changes is a good indicator of a story’s theme.

In the final two paragraphs of page 251, what

does the narrator learn about life?

What truth, or theme, do you think the author

wants to reveal to the reader?

“Exile” (pp. 256-258)

Complete the word map below for the term EXILE before you read the poem.

Exile

Synonyms Antonyms

Definition

(v) To force someone

to leave their native

land