Questions and Answers
What is the prologue about?
1980-90 war in El Salvador that resulted in 100,000 people dead, immigration to the U.S., and the rise of MS-13.
Describe the events in Chapter 1.
The narrator was initiated into the gang, had his first mission at 9 years old where he killed a man, and faced violence from rival gang La Calle 18.
What happened to the narrator's mother in Chapter 2?
She was shot and killed by a gang member while they were in La Calle 18 territory.
What was the father's intention in Chapter 3?
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Who did Pedro and the narrator live with in Chapter 4?
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What significant action did the narrator take in Chapter 5?
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What role did the narrator have in Chapter 6?
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What was the nature of the narrator's relationship with Analía in Chapter 7?
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What choice did the narrator make in Chapter 8?
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How did Pedro confront the narrator in Chapter 9?
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What news did Gustavo share with the narrator in Chapter 10?
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What happens in the climactic scene of Chapter 11?
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Study Notes
Prologue
- El Salvador's civil war (1980-90) resulted in approximately 100,000 deaths.
- Violence led many to emigrate to the U.S., particularly Los Angeles.
- MS-13, known as "La Mara Salvatrucha," emerged during this time.
- Government response included deportation and imprisonment of gang members.
- Over 100,000 active gang members, with 10,000 belonging specifically to MS-13.
- Membership initiation involved "jumping-in."
- Tattoos symbolize gang affiliation, experiences of loss, and identity.
- MS-13 is linked to illegal drugs and smuggling operations from Central America.
Chapter 1
- The narrator's initiation into the gang involved a murder at the age of 9.
- Experienced a brutal initiation, enduring 13 seconds of being beaten.
- Rival gang, La Calle 18, posed significant threats.
- Gang named La Mara Salvatrucha 13 formed for protection against Calle 18.
Chapter 2
- A pivotal event occurs when Pedro, aged 6, witnesses his mother's murder by gang members while shopping.
Chapter 3
- In grief, the narrator's father seeks revenge against the killer but is arrested and deported back to El Salvador.
Chapter 4
- Pedro and the narrator live with Gustavo, a family friend who was also in the same gang.
- They immigrated to the U.S. aiming for a better life, fleeing war in El Salvador, but violence persists.
Chapter 5
- At just 9 years old, the narrator's first mission requires him to use a pistol supplied by Gustavo.
- He receives a tattoo commemorating his parents after committing violence.
Chapter 6
- At 16, the narrator's role expands to collecting money from local businesses for gang protection.
- Struggles with old women who resist paying the gang, highlighting the moral complexities of his job.
Chapter 7
- The narrator meets Analía, his girlfriend, who inspires him to reconsider his gang involvement.
- Their relationship causes friction due to contrasting lifestyles; she cries upon hearing about his life.
Chapter 8
- The narrator chooses to prioritize his relationship with Analía over attending a gang meeting, signaling a shift in his values.
Chapter 9
- Tensions arise when Pedro accuses the narrator of neglecting his gang duties for Analía, reflecting internal conflicts between loyalty and love.
Chapter 10
- Pedro collects money instead of the narrator, leading to tragic news of his death from a drive-by shooting linked to Calle 18.
- Grief prompts the narrator to consider revenge, despite Analía urging him to escape the gang life.
Chapter 11
- The gang prepares for retaliation following Pedro's murder.
- Tension escalates during their mission into Calle 18 territory, where the narrator confronts Pedro's killer amidst violence.
Chapter 12
- Analía is caught in the crossfire during the retaliation, highlighting the tragic consequences of gang violence.
- The narrator cradles a seriously injured Analía, symbolizing the personal cost of his gang loyalty and the cycle of violence.
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Description
Explore the origins and impacts of MS-13 during El Salvador's civil war, covering the violence that led to mass emigration and the emergence of gang culture. Understand the initiation processes and the societal reactions to gang-related issues in the U.S. This quiz delves into the complex dynamics of identity, survival, and crime in this tumultuous period.
