How Tia Lola Came to (Visit) Stay

How does Miguel’s relationship with the Spanish language change as his bond with Tía Lola grows and how does it help Alvarez highlight The Role of Language in Shaping Identity?

Although Mami, Papi, and Juanita are minor characters, they represent important parts of the Guzmán family. Select two of these three supporting characters, and compare and contrast their personality traits and character arcs. How do they each contribute to the theme of The Importance of Family and Community support?

One of the novel’s major themes is The Process of Adapting to New Environments. How do Miguel and Tía Lola adjust to their new lives in Vermont? What struggles do they face, what strategies do they utilize, and what successes do they achieve over the course of the story?

In this novel, winter symbolizes isolation while warmer seasons represent belonging. How does this symbolism provide insight into the characters’ emotions and their connections to their community? How does Miguel’s visit to the Dominican Republic add another layer of meaning to this symbolism?

Discuss Alvarez’s characterization of Colonel Charlebois. How does she use this minor character to create suspense, develop themes, and demonstrate Tía Lola’s impact on others in the novel?

How does Alvarez use color symbolism to capture the influence Tía Lola has on her environment and the people around her? Cite specific examples from the text to support your argument.

Why does the author leave the question of whether Tía Lola has magic open-ended? How does this ambiguity impact the novel’s plot, characterization, and genre?

How does Alvarez use food as a motif to represent family and community support? Why is it significant to the narrative that Miguel believes Tía Lola’s Dominican cooking may possess magical properties?