The Ultimate Study Guide for Julia Alvarez's How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents Course

Course Overview

Study Guide for Julia Alvarez's How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents (Course Hero Study Guides)

by Kimberly LeClaire

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1548 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	61 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

This comprehensive study guide provides an in-depth analysis of Julia Alvarez's groundbreaking novel, How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents. Through a close examination of the text, we will explore the novel's themes, characters, symbolism, and literary significance, delving into the complex issues of identity, culture, family, and relationships.

Course Objectives

• Analyze the novel's major themes, including the Dominican American experience, immigration, coming-of-age, and the search for identity.
• Examine the development of the Garcia sisters as they navigate the challenges of assimilation and cultural preservation.
• Explore the use of symbolism and imagery to convey the characters' inner conflicts and the complexities of their experiences.
• Evaluate the novel's literary significance and its contribution to the understanding of Dominican American literature and the immigrant experience.

Course Outline

Module 1: and Context

• Overview of the novel and its historical and literary context
• to the Garcia family and their journey from the Dominican Republic to the United States
• Discussion of the novel's major themes and their relevance to Dominican American and immigrant experiences

Module 2: The Garcia Sisters

• Analysis of the characters of Carla, Sandra, and Yolanda
• Exploration of their individual struggles and motivations
• Discussion of their relationships with each other and their family

Module 3: Identity and Assimilation

• Examination of the challenges the Garcia sisters face as they navigate two cultures
• Analysis of the ways in which they preserve their Dominican heritage while embracing American culture
• Discussion of the complexities of identity formation in a multicultural society

Module 4: Symbolism and Literary Devices

• Exploration of the use of symbolism and imagery to convey the characters' experiences and emotions
• Analysis of the significance of food, language, and religion in the novel
• Discussion of the novel's narrative structure and point of view

Module 5: Literary Significance and

• Evaluation of the novel's literary merit and its contribution to Dominican American literature
• Discussion of the novel's relevance to contemporary issues of immigration, identity, and cultural diversity
• Summary of the novel's key themes and their enduring significance

Assessment

Students will be assessed on their understanding of the novel through a combination of:

• Class participation and discussion
• Written assignments, including essays and close readings
• Presentation or project on a selected aspect of the novel

Prerequisites

Students should have a basic understanding of literary analysis and be comfortable reading and discussing complex texts.

Materials

Required:

• How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents by Julia Alvarez

Recommended:

• Dominican American Literature: A History of the Imagination by Lorgia García Peña
• Speaking in Tongues: A Letter to Third World Women Writers by Gloria Anzaldúa
• The Oxford Encyclopedia of Women in World History

Instructor Information

Dr. Maria Rodriguez

Dr. Rodriguez is an Associate Professor of English at the University of California, Berkeley. She is a specialist in Dominican American literature and culture, and she has published numerous articles and book chapters on the topic. She is passionate about teaching and helping students to develop a deep understanding of literature and its social and cultural contexts.

Contact Information

Email: [email protected]

Office: 325 Doe Library

Office Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1-3pm

Course Schedule

The course will meet once a week for three hours. The schedule is as follows:

• Week 1: and Module 1
• Week 2: Module 2
• Week 3: Module 3
• Week 4: Module 4
• Week 5: Module 5 and

Additional Resources

• Julia Alvarez's website
• Library of Congress: Hispanic Nation: Culture, Identity, and Americans, 1960-Present
• National Endowment for the Humanities: Immigrant America

Image Credits

• Photo of Julia Alvarez by John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
• Photo of "How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents" book cover by Raydene Hanson, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Study Guide for Julia Alvarez's How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents (Course Hero Study Guides)

by Kimberly LeClaire

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1548 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	61 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE