Shoes for Hectorby Nicolasa Mohr
1. Give author’s name and some details about her background.
2. What was the inspiration behind this story? Give some background information on shoes.
3. Page 231. Why did Hector’s mother visit Uncle Luis the day before graduation?
4. CHARACTERIZATION: The author could have simply described Hector directly, but she
chooses to have him speak for himself. Discuss what Hectors words reveal about him. (pg,
232 column 1, para 3-5),
5. Describe Hector’s feelings regarding the shoes. (page 232, column 2).
6. THEME: Hector doesn’t say anything after his mother coaxes him to try on the shoes, yet it is
clear that he is still upset and unhappy. Why would he do this?
7. ANALYZING CONFLICT: Both Hector and his mother have strong feelings about whether he
should wear the shoes. 1. Identify how their feelings are different on this issue. 2. Identify how
their feelings are alike. (hint: what are they both concerned about?)
8. Literary elements: Authors use words that suggest sounds.
a. What is this called?
b. Identify what these sound?
c. What do these sounds name in the story.
9. THEME: Discuss—has Hector missed out on something important by thinking so much about
his shoes? (Why?)
10.Reasoning: Page 234 last paragraph. What may be some logical reasons why no one says
anything?
11.VISUALIZE: page 235 1st official paragraph. Use the story details in this paragraph to picture
the scene. What does this help you to understand about the story?
12. CHARACTER: Does Hector really mean it when he says, “That stupid party!”
13.CHARACTER: Has Hector changed during the story? Support with details from the story.
(answers the question—W hy?)
14.Thematic Focus: No one made fun of Hector’s shoes as he thought they may.
a. Explain: his decision to do what his parents wanted him to do.
b. : Did he learn an important lesson? What was it?
c. Would you have made the same decision? Why or Why not?
15.**Extended Response- Hector is afraid of what his friends will think if he does what his family
wants him to do. “ In spite of all the smiling faces [of his family]in the living room, Hector still
heard all the remarks he was sure his friends woul make if he wore those shoes.” Discuss
how Hector deals with this conflict. Does he make the right choices? What else could he do?
16.Visualize—Hector’s graduation and his party. Use information from the story and your
imagination to draw one of these scenes. Write a paragraph describing your picture and point
out details you used from the story.