Johnathan Rodriguez Identity and Chapter 22
Handout 1: Read: In the untitled poem below, student Jonathan Rodríguez reflects on
how his name represents his identity:
Hi I’m Jon………..No—Jonathan
Wait—Jonathan Rodríguez
Hold on—Jonathan Rodríguez
My Name, Two names, two worlds
The duality of my identity like two sides of the same
coin
With two worlds, there should be plenty of room
But where do I fit?
Where can I sit?
Is this seat taken? Or is that seat taken?
There never is quite enough room is there?
Two names, Two worlds
Where do I come from?
Born in the Washington heights of New York City
But raised in good ol’ Connecticut
The smell of freshly mowed grass, autumn leaves
Sancocho, Rice and Beans
The sound from Billy Joel’s Piano Keys
And the rhythm from Juan Luis Guerra
I’m from the struggle for broken dreams
Of false promises
Of houses with white picket fences
And 2.5 kids
The mountains and campos de la Republica
Dominicana
And the mango trees
I’m not the typical kid from suburbia
Nor am I a smooth Latin cat
My head’s in the clouds, my nose in a comic book
I get lost in the stories and art
I’m kinda awkward—so talkin’ to the ladies is hard
I listen to Fernando Villalona and Aventura every
chance I get,
But don’t make me dance Merengue, Bachata
Or Salsa—I don’t know the steps
I’ve learned throughout these past years
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I am a mix of cultures, a mix of races
“Una Raza encendida,
Negra, Blanca y Taina”
You can find me in the parts of a song, en una cancion
You can feel my African Roots en la Tambora
My Taino screams en la guira
And the melodies of the lyrics are a reminder of my
beautiful Spanish heritage
I am African, Taino and Spanish
A Fanboy, an athlete, a nerd, a student, an introvert
I’m proud to say: Yo soy Dominicano
I’m proud to say, I am me
I am beginning to appreciate that I am
Una bella mezcla
I am beginning to see that this world is also a beautiful
mix
Of people, ideas and stories.
Is this seat taken?
Or is that seat taken?
Join me and take a seat,
Here we’ll write our own stories
Respond- In your Writer’s Notebook (no prompt number) answer the following questions:
1. What does Rodríguez mean when he uses the phrase “two names, two worlds”? What two worlds does his
name represent?
2. What assumptions does Rodríguez think others might make about his identity because of his name? Which
of those assumptions are true? Which are false?
3. Conversely, what does your name suggest about your identity? Remember what the names Capulet and
Montague meant? Does your name really have a meaning if you consider it as word? What does your name
represent to you? Do you feel like what you are named? How is your name different for someone else who
might have the same? To what extent you’re your name influence how others think about you? How does it
affect how you think about yourself?
Create and Produce-On the back of the loose-leaf do the following:
Handout 2: Creating an Identity Chart
Prompt # 17 for Core and #16 for Honors (in your Writer’s Notebook)
Use the following steps and questions to create an identity chart for yourself:
1. Draw a circle in the middle of a loose-leaf piece of paper or page in your journal.
2. Begin with the words or phrases that describe the way you see yourself. Add those words and
phrases to create your chart.
3. Most people define themselves by using categories important to their culture. They include not
only gender, age, and physical characteristics but also ties to a particular religion, class,
neighborhood, school, and nation. Consider if any of these characteristics belong on your chart.
4. You may wish to add new categories to your identity chart. How much of your identity do you
create and how much of it is determined by things beyond your control? What other factors influence
your identity? What can you add that does not fall into any of the categories listed above?
5. How does the way that other people think about you impact your identity? Consider multiple
perspectives. Think about these questions as you think about what else to add to your chart:
• What labels would others attach to you?
• Do they see you as a leader or a follower? A conformist or a rebel?
• Are you a peacemaker, a bully, or a bystander? (look it up)
• How do society’s labels influence the way you see yourself? The kinds of choices you and others
make each day? For example, if a person is known as a bully, how likely is he or she to live up to
that label?
Handout 3:
Prompt # 18 for Core and #17 for Honors- “Chapter 22 Connection”
Respond to the following questions in Writer’s Notebook
This chapter describes the reactions of many of the characters to the Tom Robinson verdict. Choose
a quotation from the chapter that sums up the reactions of each of the following characters:
1. Jem
4. Miss Maudie
2. Atticus
5. Dill
3. the black community of
6. Bob Ewell
Maycomb
Then answer the following questions:
1. How would you describe this range of responses? How are the characters’ responses
expressions of their different identities and experiences?
2. How does Miss Maudie define progress in overcoming segregation and discrimination in
Maycomb?
3. What do you think of her conclusion?
4. How can we measure progress toward bringing about a more just society? (Remember
the essential question on the board)
5. What steps are worth celebrating and what steps are dissatisfying?
Don’t feel overwhelmed, time will be given to conclude and adjust this portion of the class next
time we get together. Do your very best.