50 pages 1 hour read

Julia Alvarez

How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 1991

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Part 1, Chapters 1-3

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1, Chapter 1 Summary: “Antojos”

Content Warning: This section of the guide reproduces racial slurs used in the source text only in quotations. This section of the guide also discusses numerous sexual taboos, including incest and sexual relations between adults and minors.

Yolanda has been away from the Dominican Republic and the family compound for five years. While her family believes she is just visiting, she is not certain she will be returning to the United States this time. As the family gathers together at the compound, Yolanda realizes that everybody will look at her like she has let herself go. Among those gathered are Yolanda’s aunts and cousins. Yolanda wants to go up north to gather guavas, but her family will not let her go without a male escort. There are possible guerillas around, and the family has private security at their compound. Yolanda wonders if perhaps a life of tradition in the Dominican Republic would suit her better than a life of freedom in the United States.

As she goes in search of the fruits, Yolanda stops at a small village and meets some children. They all get into her car and go gather guavas with her. As she heads back, she remembers all the warnings her aunts gave her before heading out, and she begins to fear for her safety.

Related Titles

By Julia Alvarez

Study Guide

logo

Homecoming

Julia Alvarez

Homecoming

Julia Alvarez

Study Guide

logo

How Tia Lola Came to (Visit) Stay

Julia Alvarez

How Tia Lola Came to (Visit) Stay

Julia Alvarez

Study Guide

logo

In the Name of Salome

Julia Alvarez

In the Name of Salome

Julia Alvarez

Plot Summary

logo

Once Upon a Quinceanera

Julia Alvarez

Once Upon a Quinceanera

Julia Alvarez

Plot Summary

logo

Something to Declare: Essays

Julia Alvarez

Something to Declare: Essays

Julia Alvarez

Study Guide

logo

The Cemetery of Untold Stories

Julia Alvarez

The Cemetery of Untold Stories

Julia Alvarez

Study Guide

logo

The Daughter of Invention

Julia Alvarez

The Daughter of Invention

Julia Alvarez