ICRC I
In-Class Reading/Activity
“Complexion” by Richard Rodriguez
Free write for a few minutes on what you think of when you hear the word “complexion.”
After reading the biographical information about Rodriguez, what do you think the word
“complexion” means to him?
Paragraphs 1-4: Answer the following questions in brief sentences.
1. Why do people assume that Rodriguez has been “on vacation” when they meet him?
What kinds of places do they assume he has visited?
2. What is the significance of the word “singes” in the last line of paragraph 1?
3. How did Rodriguez’s mother feel about the color of his skin?
4. Who are “los pobres?” Is the term “los braceros” the same as “los pobres?” Why or why
not?
5. What are Rodriguez’s feelings about los braceros?
Paragraphs 5-14: Answer the following questions in brief sentences.
6. Rodriguez discusses a number of symbols that to his family represent “a life of
oppressive labor and poverty.” Name 2-3 of these symbols and state why they are
important.
7. What kind of work did Rodriguez’s father do? What did he wish he could do?
8. Rodriguez spends a long time talking about photographs of his parents before they came
to the U.S. Why? What did the photos show about the lives/hopes of his parents?
9. How did Rodriguez’s parents (as he knew them) differ from the people in the photos?
10. What is the significance of the scene in which Rodriguez’s mother sells her fur coat?
Think about some of Rodriguez’s writing techniques:
Why does he use a lot of parentheses ( )?
Why does he use Spanish phrases?
How does his use of direct quotations affect the reader?
ICRC I
“Complexion” by Richard Rodriguez
Homework for Monday, September 19:
Finish reading “Complexion.”
List 5-6 points for discussion (what you think Rodriguez as a writer wants the reader to think
about).
Write down 5-6 questions you have about vocabulary and/or concepts that were confusing or that
you did not understand.
Briefly (a short paragraph) answer this question:
How does “Complexion” relate to Russell Baker’s “Mother” and Elizabeth Wong’s “The
Struggle to Be an All-American Girl?”
ICRC I
“Complexion” by Richard Rodriguez
Homework for Monday, September 19:
Finish reading “Complexion.”
List 5-6 points for discussion (what you think Rodriguez as a writer wants the reader to think
about).
Write down 5-6 questions you have about vocabulary and/or concepts that were confusing or that
you did not understand.
Briefly (a short paragraph) answer this question:
How does “Complexion” relate to Russell Baker’s “Mother” and Elizabeth Wong’s “The
Struggle to Be an All-American Girl?”