Only Daughter by Sandra Cisneros – Flashcards

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question
What does Cisneros mean when she writes that being an only daughter in a family of six sons "explains everything"?
answer
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.
question
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)?
answer
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.
question
Why does her father think she has wasted her education? What is her reaction to his opinion?
answer
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.
question
What distinction does Cisneros make between being "the only daughter" and "only a daughter"?
answer
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.
question
What advantages does Cisneros see in being "the only daughter"? In being "only a daughter"?
answer
She could think and create things in her mind that she could write on paper to become a writer.
question
Why is her father's reaction to her story the "most wonderful" thing that has happened to Cisneros that year?
answer
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.
question
As the only daughter in a family with six sons, Sandra Cisneros felt __________________.
answer
lonely and of less importance than her brothers
question
After her father finally read one of her stories, what does her father ask her?
answer
If he could get more copies to give to the rest of the family.
question
After her father finally read one of her stories when _____________________.
answer
Sandra came home for Christmas with a Spanish translation.
question
Cisneros' father wanted his children to ___________________.
answer
avoid jobs that required physical labor
question
For Cisneros' father, being an only daughter meant that Sandra's sestiny was to become a _________________.
answer
wife
question
What did Sandra's father say to indicate his pride in her work?
answer
He wanted copies for all the relatives.
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