Text Complexity Analysis of: The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz
Text Type: Literature
Text Description
Recommended Complexity Band Level
This is the story of Oscar’s quest for love. Although Oscar is a Dominican living in New Jersey, the novel goes back through the generations to tell the story of Oscar’s family, their fuku (curse), and the struggles of the Dominican people.
The deep meanings of this novel make it most appropriate for grades 11‐12.
Quantitative Measure
Quantitative Measure of the Text:
1010
Range:
925‐1185
Associated Band Level:
6‐8
Qualitative Measures
Text Structure: Exceedingly Complex
The story follows a very loose linear path – over the course of the novel we do hear the story of Oscar’s life, but it is interwoven with the lives of his friends and family, stretching back generations and back to the Dominican Republic under the dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo. The story loops back on itself repeatedly, rather than progressively moving forward. Language Features: Very Complex
Spanish phrases, including colloquialisms particular to Dominican culture, are interwoven in the text. The language varies between being gritty and hard, concrete and realistic, to extremely figurative. Occasionally the vocabulary becomes lofty, with even words like “pulchritude” making an appearance.
Meaning/Purpose: Exceedingly Complex
This text is firmly rooted in Dominican culture and history and while some background is given, much of the background is only loosely alluded to. Moreover, this novel is deeply entrenched in the science fiction and fantasy tradition, with several references to Star Wars, Star Trek, Lord of the Rings and other authors and writers of that genre. Knowledge Demands: Very Complex
This novel explores such complex subject matter as masculinity, coming of age, diaspora, racism, growing up in poverty, living under a dictatorship, and the search for meaning in life. While at times the text seems concrete and earthy, describing in a frank way the gritty realities of ghetto life, there is always a deeper meaning to what is happening.
Why I love this book: This book gives students the opportunity to think about and discuss deep issues that are common to humanity. I also love to give students experiences with books that are written in alternative narrative patterns.
Text Complexity Analysis of: The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz
Text Type: Literature
Considerations for Reader and Task
Possible Major Instructional Areas of Focus (include 3‐4 CCS Standards) for this Text:
RI11‐12.4 – Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including words with multiple meanings or language that is particularly fresh, engaging, or beautiful.
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Identify and discuss the author’s use of figurative language in the book. Explore the Spanish slang and phrases.
RI.11‐12/6 ‐‐ Analyze a particular point of view or cultural experience reflected in a work of literature from outside the United States, drawing on a wide reading of world literature.
x
Explore the history of and cultural references to the Dominican Republic. Consider Oscar’s experience coming from a family of immigrants.
RI.11‐12.7 – Analyze how an author's choices concerning how to structure a text, order events within it (e.g., parallel plots), and manipulate time (e.g., pacing, flashbacks) create such effects as mystery, tension, or surprise
x
Evaluate the effect of the different strands of the story, especially parts that are repeated or told in a different way.
Below are factors to consider with respect to the reader and task:
Potential Challenges this Text Poses:
ƒ Spanish phrases, including colloquialisms particular to Dominican culture, are interwoven in the text. Figurative language and challenging vocabulary, like “pulchritude”.
Differentiation/Supports for Students:
ƒ Create a glossary of difficult phrases and translations.
ƒ Explore the historical and pop culture context of the book with information adapted to the whole class or specific groups.
Text Sets
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Holes, by Louis Sacher, (Literary). The main character deals with a family curse. http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/book/holes#cart/cleanup In the Time of Butterflies, Julia Alvarez (Literary). A family of sisters is involved in the revolution against the Trujillo dictatorship. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11206.In_the_Time_of_the_Butterflies “Junot Diaz: Immigrants, Masculinity, Nerds, and Art”, interview with Peter Segal (Informational YouTube video). The author speaks about key themes in his book in an hour‐long conversation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TA8X6TUA83k “Novelist Junot Diaz Weaves Cultures and Languages”, Jeffrey Brown/PBS (Informational). The author talks about topics from his book including the curse and pop culture references in an 8‐minute video interview. http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/entertainment‐jan‐june08‐diaz_04‐29/
Dominican Republic profile, BBC News (Informational). A timeline showing key events in Dominican Republic history. http://www.bbc.com/news/world‐latin‐
america‐19343656 “The Oscar Wao Vocabulary Dictionary, Glossary” Aliza Hausman (Informational). An amateur blogger lists key words with definitions from the book that may be difficult for readers. http://www.alizahausman.com/2008/12/oscar‐wao‐
vocabulary‐dictionary.html “Allusions and Cultural References”, Shmoop (Informational). A comprehensive of literary, philosophical, pop culture, and historical references in the book. http://www.shmoop.com/oscar‐wao/allusions.html Watchmen, Alan Moore (Literary). A comic book series that bears significance for Oscar. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/472331.Watchmen?from_search=true Created by (name, state, email, date) Reviewed by ____________________________________________(name, state, e‐mail, date)