Question

further analysis questions
directions: complete the questions with a partner or independently. be prepared to discuss your answers with your class. 6 minutes

1. paragraph 1: shays father leaves in a moving truck with their belongings. “moments later, another truck pulls up to the same spot — a replacement.” what does the word “replacement” suggest?
2. paragraph 9: shay and dante sit “on the stoop for a while, watching cars pull out and new cars pull in. witnessing the neighborhood rearrange itself.” what does this line indicate about the experience that shay and her family are going through?
3. paragraph 10: what does this apartment mean to shay and her family?
4. paragraphs 19, 35, and 73 - 75: how does the white couple moving in behave towards dante, shay, and her family?
5. paragraph 81: “dante glances down at the 5 on his arm again. the burn. white where brown used to be.” how does this description of the eraser tattoo relate to what is happening in the neighborhood?
6. in the authors point of view, who or what is being “erased” in brooklyn?

Explanation:

1. The word "replacement" suggests that one entity (the truck) has taken the place of another, indicating a sense of substitution or change in the context of the moving - out and moving - in process.
2. This line indicates that Shay and her family are witnessing the fluidity and change in their neighborhood. Cars coming and going symbolize the transient nature of the community and the changes they are experiencing as they move or see others move.
3. The apartment likely means a home, a place of stability and memories for Shay and her family. It represents their living space and the life they have built there.
4. Without the actual text in the specified paragraphs, it's hard to say precisely. However, in general, one would look for cues in the text about the white couple's body language, words, and actions towards Dante, Shay, and her family to determine their behavior (e.g., friendly, stand - offish, etc.).
5. The description of the eraser tattoo with its changing color (white where brown used to be) may symbolize the erasure of the old (the brown color representing something that was there before) and the emergence of the new in the neighborhood, similar to the changes happening around them.
6. In the author's point of view, it could be the old - time community, the cultural fabric, or the way of life in Brooklyn that is being "erased" as new people move in and changes occur.

Answer:

1. It suggests substitution or change in the moving - in and moving - out process.
2. It indicates the fluidity and change in their neighborhood experience.
3. It likely means a home, a place of stability and memories.
4. Need the text in the paragraphs to determine precisely, but look for cues in body language, words, and actions.
5. It may symbolize the erasure of the old and the emergence of the new in the neighborhood.
6. It could be the old - time community, cultural fabric, or way of life in Brooklyn.