Exploring Narrative Structures in Literature
The Intricacies of Narrative Structures in "Dreaming in Cuban" and "Like Mexicans"
Read the excerpt from “First Generation” of Dreaming in Cuban. She considers the vagaries of sports, the happenstance of El Líder, a star pitcher in his youth, narrowly missing a baseball career in America. His wicked curveball attracted the major league scouts, and the Washington Senators were interested in signing him but changed their minds. Frustrated, El Líder went home, rested his pitching arm, and started a revolution in the mountains.
Read the excerpt from “Like Mexicans.” We talked for an hour and had apple pie and coffee, slowly. Finally, we got up with Carolyn taking my hand. Slightly embarrassed, I tried to pull away but her grip held me. I let her have her way as she led me down the hallway with her mother right behind me. . . . Carolyn waved again. I looked, back, waving. . . . Her people were like Mexicans, only different.
Which best states how the structures of the excerpts are similar?
- Each relates an anecdote to appeal to the reader’s emotions.
- Each presents factual evidence to appeal to the reader’s logic.
- Each documents career credentials to appeal to the reader’s ethics.
- Each discusses a political event to appeal to the reader’s logic.
The answer is c. Each documents career credentials to appeal to the reader’s ethics.
How do the narrative structures in "Dreaming in Cuban" and "Like Mexicans" appeal to the reader's ethics?
The narrative structures in both excerpts appeal to the reader's ethics by documenting the career credentials of the characters. In "Dreaming in Cuban," El Líder's transition from a potential baseball star to a revolutionary leader showcases the moral choices and values he holds. In "Like Mexicans," the interaction between the narrator and Carolyn's family highlights the cultural nuances and values that guide their actions. By presenting these characters' career credentials and the ethical decisions they make, the narratives engage the reader in a thoughtful reflection on personal integrity and beliefs.