Student Name__Elizabeth Fuentes Date_11/6/08___ Per__4____

Novel: “Brother I’m Dying” Plan Author: Edwidge Danticat Created By:
Dr. Louis Document: Unit

Part I A. Chapter 1: Have you Enjoyed Your Life (pages 3-26) 1. Terms
to look up and know: (13 points)
• pulmonary fibrosis-Scarring throughout the lungs without an
identifiable cause.
• Lanky-ungracefully thin; bony
• Chronic psoriasis-a recurring skin disease
• Eczema-is an allergic condition that affects the skin or inflammation
of the skin
• Leper-a person who has leprosy
• Iridology scans-scans of the iris colored part of the eyes used to
read health pictures
• Prednisone-an anti-inflammatory and antineoplastic in the treatment
of various diseases
• Codeine-an analgesic or sedative and to inhibit coughing
• Mantra-an incantation or prayer
• Gaunt-extremely thin and bony
• Buoyant-tending to float in a fluid
• Jovial-joyous humor or spirit of good-fellowship
• Deposed-to remove from office or position

2. Questions to discussion (10 points)

a. Why do you think the narrator neglects from telling her father that
she is pregnant when she finds out? What is your answer based on?
The narrator doesn’t tell her father that she is pregnant because she
knows its not the right time in his life for her to place another issue
that may bring pain to him as well. She feels it will hurt him that he
wouldn’t be able to be there for her child.

b. After the narrator learns of her father’s ailing condition, she

tries to talk to the doctor; in your estimate, do you think that doctor
shows empathy towards her and the situation? Why or why not?
No I don’t think he had sympathy for her father just the fact he wasn’t
professional enough to even tell his patient that this disease was
killing him, but rather told his daughter so she can break the news to
him.

c. Talking about death is hard. Planning about death with older and/or
sick parents can even be unbearable. How do you think the narrator and
her siblings react to their father’s comment about him dying? How would
you react?
I think they were very shocked to see the person they loved the most
was dying and are filled with fear of what might happen to him. I would
be devastated if the one I loved confronted me and announced they were
going to die I would have all these emotions accruing in me.
Student Name____Elizabeth Fuentes________ Date_11/6/06____ Per___4___
Novel: “Brother I’m Dying” Plan Author: Edwidge Danticat Created By:
Dr. Louis Document: Unit

d. Where does the title of this chapter come from? Who says? At what
point? What was the response given?

B. Chapter 2: Brother, I’m Dying (pages 27-42) 1. Terms to look up:

• Calabash- the dried, hollowed-out shell of any of these fruits, used
as a container or utensil.
• Mulattoes- the offspring of one white parent and one black parent:
not in technical use
• Guerilla fighters
• Kleren-liquor
• Sisal
• Laryngectomy
• Muslin
• Ideological
• Missionaries

2. Quick Write: What would you do if you were told that you’d lose
your voice in 24 hours?

3. Questions for Analysis a. Chapter 2 begins with the life of the

narrator’s uncle and his profession. How is this background information
important to reader in terms of the illness that is later revealed
about the uncle?

b. Why do you think the visa for the narrator’s uncle was denied? Using
your previous research, what is the procedure for an immigrant who
wishes to come to the United States?

c. Chapter two highlights Haiti’s complex political system, which will

be further developed in other chapters. Why is it important for the
reader to know this information, even though it seems to interrupt the
story?