4 Distance Between Us - 2 Journal Submissions chapter 17-20

 chapter 

Dialectical Journal

 

Directions:

You have been practicing writing good responses to quotes with response codes. Now that you know how to write good responses, you will make connections to one of the topics from our class. You can see them listed below.

1. Choose a quote from the chapter.
2. Pick the topic that this quote is connected to and write it in the third column.
3. Explain the connection in the topic in the last column titled “Analysis.”

 

Topics
Sacrifice	Identity	The American dream	Family Separation	Human Rights
Physical Distance	Relational Distance	Abuse	Poverty

 

 

The Distance Between Us: Part 2 Chapter 17

Choose a quote from this chapter to analyze.   Write the quote in the left column and explain how the quote is connected to one of the listed topics in the right column.
Quote	Page #	Topic(s)	Analysis
“Papi doesn’t for you to be out partying,” I told her. She shrugged and said, “I don’t care what he likes or doesn’t like.”	254	Relational distance	This quote shows that Mago is growing apart from Papi. She no longer listens to him or respects his rules. Showing a break in their relationship and trust.

 

In ONE COMPLETE SENTENCE write the most important thing that happened in this chapter. (*NOTE: Use your own words. Do NOT write a quote.)

Reyna celebrated her quinceañera with her parents present, even though they were not together.

 

Mago’s behavior changes in this chapter. Write 3 examples of how Mago has changed below.

1. She wants to do a full-time job.   2. She doesn’t want to study further   3. she stops listening to Papi and does what she wants.

 

“Always my eyes returned to my sister standing by the door looking proudly at me. And I knew I should have been dancing the waltz with her” (Grande 261).   A Qinceañera is an important event that signifies a girl becoming a young woman, and the dance with the father is a meaningful part of that event.   Why do you think that Reyna feels she should have been dancing this dance with her sister, Mago, instead of her father?

Reyna feels dance with her sister Mago instead of her father. Because Mago was the one who truly cared for her and acted like a parent when their real parents were gone. She doesn’t feel close to her father, he is distant, cold, and smell of alcohol. While Mago gave her love, support, and protection. Dancing with Mago would have felt more meaningful and full of love.

 

 

The Distance Between Us: Part 2 Chapter 18

Write a quote from this chapter that supports the topic of “identity.” Write the quote in the left column and explain how the quote is connected to the topic of “identity” in the right column.
Quote	Page #	Topic(s)	Analysis
“Please Papi. Can I go? I missed Mexico. I missed my grandmother…”	266	identity	This quote shows Reyna”s deep connection to her roots in Mexico. Even though she lives in the U.S. now, Part of her identity is still tied to her home, culture, and family in Mexico. She feels torn between two places.

 

On page 265 Papi says that Mago, Carlos, and Ryena are ungrateful.   Why does he think they are ungrateful? Do you agree with him? Explain your answer.

Papi thinks they are ungrateful because he worked hard to bring them to the U.S. and gave them a better life, but they still argue with him and don’t always follow his rules. (Do you agree with him? Explain your answer.)  I understand why he feels that way, but I don’t fully agree. The kids are thankful, but they also feel hurt by how he treat them. Respect and love go both ways.

 

While in Mexico, Reyna thinks about some very notable questions.   “I thought about my own father, and the choice he’d made to go north, the price we’d paid for that decision. Was my uncle right? Was it better to be poor but together? Or was it better to try to find a better life, even if it meant breaking up your family?” (Grande 268)   What is your opinion? Do you think the Grande family should have stayed in Mexico together or sacrificed for a better life? Explain your answer.

I think the Grande family made the right choices to look For a better life, even though it caused pain. Being poor and struggling is very hard, and moving gave the kids new chances like school and safety. But I also believe families should stay close, so it’s a hard decision with no perfect answer.

 

The Distance Between Us: Part 2 Chapter 19

Choose a quote from this chapter to analyze.   Write the quote in the left column and explain how the quote is connected to one of the listed topics in the right column.
Quote	Page #	Topic(s)	Analysis
“A few days later, I knew it was for real when Mago broke the news to Papi. “You are such an ungrateful daughter!” he yelled. “After everything I’ve done for you, this is how you repay me?...’	276	Family separation, Identity.	This quote shows us the growing emotional distance between Mago and Papi. Mago wants to live her own life, but Papi reacts with anger and guilt. This shows how strict parenting and control can damage relationships and push family members apart.

 

In ONE COMPLETE SENTENCE write the most important thing that happened in this chapter. (*NOTE: Use your own words. Do NOT write a quote.)

I think the most important thing that happened in this chapter is that Reyna accepted her admission to UC Irvine, showing she is ready to follow her dreams and take control of her future.

 

“But he said to me, ‘You can forget all about going to that university. You’re going to be a failure too, just like them, so don’t even bother’” (Grande 279).   Think about what we have learned about growth mindsets and fixed mindsets.

Is this quote an example of a growth mindset or a fixed mindset? This is fix mindset because Papi believes Reyna can’t change or succeed, and he doesn’t believe in her potential.     Make a prediction. What do you think will happen to Reyna? Will she have a growth mindset or a fixed mindset? Will she attend UC Irvine? I think Reyna will keep growth mindset and prove her father wrong. She will work hard, believe in herself, and go to UC Irvine because she’s already shown that she can overcome challenges and stay  strong.

 

 

The Distance Between Us: Part 2 Chapter 20

Choose a quote from this chapter to analyze.   Write the quote in the left column and explain how the quote is connected to one of the listed topics in the right column.
Quote	Page #	Theme(s)	Analysis
“When we got to my house, Steve didn’t turn off the car because he was afraid it might not start again. So he walked me to the door and gave me a quick kiss and left. The house was dark and quiet. Papi and Milla were asleep. There was no one there to ask me how my prom had gone.”	287	Relational distance	Here shows how Reyna feels emotionally alone, even while experiencing a special moment in her life. No one at home celebrated or cared about her prom, showing the distance between Reyna and her family. It reflect how she is growing up without the love and attention many teenagers hope for.

 

In ONE COMPLETE SENTENCE write the most important thing that happened in this chapter. (*NOTE: Use your own words. Do NOT write a quote.)

Reyna experiences prom, a special rite of passage, but comes home to a quiet house, realizing again how emotionally distant her family is.

 

In our reading journal from a few weeks ago, we learned about a rite of passage. In this chapter, Reyna goes to prom. Prom is a dance for seniors at the end of the school year. It is a rite of passage for American high schoolers.   Reyna Grande writes about Papi not coming out of his room on her prom night. Reflect on and analyse this part of the story. Why does she include that in her writing? Why is it significant? How do you think this made Reyna feel? Which topic does it connect with?

Reyna includes this moment in her writing to show how important events in her life were often missed or ignored by her family. Prom is a rite of passage in American culture, but her father didn’t show interest, which made Reyna feel unseen and unimportant. This moment is significant because it highlights relational distance—even though Reyna lived with her father, she still felt alone. It also shows how her journey to adulthood happened without the emotional support many teens get from their parents.