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Judith Ortiz Cofer, Nada

Judith Ortiz Cofer, Nada

Read Nada and check your comprehension by answering the following questions. Then “submit” your work.

Question 1.1046

1. Why does the narrator assume that Doña Ernestina says “no, gracias” to the medals and flag offered by the U.S. military in token of her son’s death?

to refuse to exchange her son’s life for a few trinkets and a folded flag

to acknowledge that she believes her son is still alive

to stage a political protest of the government’s actions in Vietnam

to make the military officials feel badly about her son

Question 1.1047

2. Which character is described as “[one] hungry for love, starving . . . by choice”?

Lydia, a woman in El Building who is trying to get pregnant

Miguel, the narrator’s ex-husband

Doña Ernestina, the recent widow who loses her son

Padre Álvaro, the local priest

Question 1.1048

3. How does Doña Ernestina react to her son’s death?

She cries hysterically, weeping inconsolably for an entire week while her neighbors fretfully watch over her.

She disappears the next day, presumably to Puerto Rico, only to return weeks later as if nothing has happened.

She calmly dresses in black and gives away her possessions.

She vows bloody revenge on the government who has taken her son from her.

Question 1.1049

4. According to the narrator, how do men react to problems in women’s lives?

They try too hard to find a solution, often creating more problems through their naïve and futile efforts.

They carefully succor the woman’s every need.

They call the woman’s female friends and family and lay low while the women take care of the problem.

They refuse to acknowledge the problem at all and force the woman to suffer in silence.

Question 1.1050

5. Which character is described as follows: “[he/she] was curled up in the farthest corner of the living room [ . . . ] Just as [he/she] had come into the world. Wearing nothing. Nothing around [her/him] except a clean, empty room. Nada.”

Lydia, whose husband was recently drafted into the war

Tony, Doña Ernestina’s son

Doña Ernestina, the recent widow who loses her son

Padre Álvaro, the local priest