1) One stylistic trait that Diaz is known for is his narrative tone. What is the narrator's tone in these stories? How does he speak to the reader?
2) Another stylistic trait that Diaz is know for is his use of language and, specifically, his integration of Spanish with English, and especially his use of slang expressions, especially Spanish slang. Find and discuss some of the instances in which Diaz's use of language is most effective.
3) Diaz is known for not using quotation marks to indicate dialog (when a character is speaking). Find some passages that demonstrate this, and discuss the effect upon the reader, and why you think Dias does this?
4) Finally, these two stories are what we might call 'bookend' stories, meaning that "Aguantando" presents the 'before' picture of Yunior and his mother and brother in the Dominican Republic, without their father, while "Invierno" presents the 'after' picture, after they immigrate to the U.S. to rejoin Papi. Talk about how Diaz's voice and style demonstrate for the reader what the Dominican diaspora was like, what it was like for this family (and so many others) to immigrate from D.R. to the U.S. Diaz's voice and style lend a certain 'feel' to what it was like. A different kind of voice and style, a different kind of language, would give it a different 'feel.' What is the 'feel' of the immigrant experience with Diaz's voice and style? Use specific references to the story to support your opinions.
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