part 1:Explain the difference between “only daughter” and “only a daughter” in this essay. Is there anything here that resonates with your experience either as a daughter, or as the brother of an only daughter in the family? If you’re a man, and have no sisters, how would this essay speak to you? Does it still carry some sort of echo for you? What kind of feeling does that evoke?
How does being “an only daughter in a family of six sons” end up creating a sense of loneliness and aloneness in Sandra Cisneros? What positive things came as a result of that loneliness?
What expectations did her father have for her, and how did she thwart those expectations?
When writers use specific sensory and descriptive words and phrases (conveying sensations of sight, sound, touch, taste and smell through their words), it’s known as imagery. What vivid sensory images does she use to allow us to picture the fathers room in our minds. Why does she use these specific details to describe her father’s condition to the reader?
Comment on Sandra Cisneros’ last sentence in her essay.
part 2:
A short personal narrative account in which you describe a childhood experience – positive, or negative. Try to use vivid verbs and adjectives to create a sense of setting for the readers. Use dialogue in a couple of places, and emotion wherever necessary. Specific details about the experience, including people, songs, tastes, smells, etc. will help us imagine the scene.