1. By: Skylar Smith & Audrey Allyn

2.  Define: Nationalism
 1. Patriotic feeling, principles, or efforts
 2. An extreme form of this, esp. marked by a
feeling of superiority over other countries
 “Internal exile (…) defined as
isolation, alienation, deprivation of means of
production&communication, exclusion from
public life”
 How does Selena exemplify internal exile?

3.  Nationalism puts a level of control in a society
 Police control
▪ “The police used to try to scare us. Most of the time
they ran us off, beat us up to teach us to be men, or took
us to jail” (pg. 108)
 How is Selena a citizen while simultaneously
a non citizen?
 Hint: state protection, state institutions, “circulo
en el infierno”

4.  “Her plans for the whole year, the
opportunity to expand her business, to finally
capitalize on all her sacrifices. That little devil
had better appear. Where could she be, now
when she’s needed most?”
 Has their relationship changed since Selena’s
decision to make her own business deal?
 Do you think Martha cares for Selena or is it just
for economic reasons?

5.  “She asked him why he didn’t mount her, which was a
man’s duty to his wife. Crying she complained that
after a year and a half of marriage she was still
technically a virgin” (pg. 114)
 Is Hugo together with Solange only to further his power in
the corporate world?
 “In doesn’t matter now, anyway. She only needs him
now so she can be a señora, know about forks, have
her place assured for all eternity” (pg.130)
 Is Solange together with Hugo only to further her status
and public image?

6.  “I can’t fault her (Selena’s mother) a bit, even if
she never wanted to marry a man, like the Bible
says she should. But if that would have made
her unhappy, like I was, then it was better for her
to have a woman in her house. I don’t care what
people say. You don’t have to be a certain way to
be decent. Decency comes in all colors and
flavors” (pg. 121)
 Do we see Selena’s grandmother’s ideals implanted in
Selena?
 Does Selena strive to become happy because of his
mother’s and grandmothers hardships?

7.  “I’m going to enroll him in the public school
when classes start again. Leocadio has
potential – he’s so quiet and attentive, I’ll bet
he learns everything they teach him right off”
(pg. 126)
 Do you think Leocadio will follow in Selena’s
footsteps or become part of the state system
(going to school, playing into the system)?

8.  “That night on the stairs was the first time he
realized that he could become a real
man, with responsibilities in life, like taking
care of his mama” (p. 155)
 “How strange, Leocadio becoming a man, I
can’t imagine it” (p. 125) – DoñaAdelina
 Do you think Migueles will influence Leocadioto
become “a man”?

9.  “I do now—anxious about protecting
him, guarding him so they don’t crush him
alive. It is for the best. When he opens his
eyes I feel my heart leap” (p. 125)
 How does DoñaAdelina compare to Miss Martha?

10.  Will Selena’s performance prove to herself that
she can be successful without Martha?
 Why does the author include Leocadio’s story?
 “And if Hugo got himself into deep water with
the monster on the stairs, she’d better be
prepared for the worst. Let the scandal sink him,
not her. Let the scandal find her on an airplane,
on the way to Miami. Leave this cursed island
and go there with money, jewels, stocks that will
buy her appropriate status” (pp. 135-136)
 Will Hugo indulge in Selena’s seduction? Does
Solange even care?