Only Daughter by Sandra Cisneros – Flashcards
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What does Cisneros mean when she writes that being an only daughter in a family of six sons "explains everything"?
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Cisneros means that it was hard because you were the only one who was looked down upon among the children in your family, and all your brothers were seen as being more important.
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Cicneros grew up with a Mexican father. In Mexico, women tend to be submissive (obeying their husband). How did this effect her upbringing (how she was raised)?
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In a Mexican family, the sons are more useful than the daughters. They can get a job and provide for the family, but the daughters are expected to stay home and cook and clean.
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Why does her father think she has wasted her education? What is her reaction to his opinion?
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Her father thinks she wasted her education because she didn't get married when she was in college. Looking back, she was glad that he only saw worth in a woman who was married because he didn't bother her when she wanted to pursue her own dreams of writing. He didn't see that as importantm and therefore wouldn't ask her any questions about it.
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What distinction does Cisneros make between being "the only daughter" and "only a daughter"?
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She made the distinction that being an only daughter with 6 brothers meant that she was alone alot because they wouldn't play with her, but being only a daughter meant that she would have to marry to have "value" in her father's eyes. Being the only daughter left her to be by herself to think about things and start writing.
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What advantages does Cisneros see in being "the only daughter"? In being "only a daughter"?
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She could think and create things in her mind that she could write on paper to become a writer.
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Why is her father's reaction to her story the "most wonderful" thing that has happened to Cisneros that year?
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Her father's reaction to her story is the best thing that happened to her that year because all that time she was writing, she was trying to wind his approval, and she finally did! After he read her story, he asked her where they could get more copies to give to the rest of the family.
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As the only daughter in a family with six sons, Sandra Cisneros felt __________________.
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lonely and of less importance than her brothers
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After her father finally read one of her stories, what does her father ask her?
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If he could get more copies to give to the rest of the family.
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After her father finally read one of her stories when _____________________.
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Sandra came home for Christmas with a Spanish translation.
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Cisneros' father wanted his children to ___________________.
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avoid jobs that required physical labor
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For Cisneros' father, being an only daughter meant that Sandra's sestiny was to become a _________________.
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wife
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What did Sandra's father say to indicate his pride in her work?
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He wanted copies for all the relatives.
