The Red Umbrella

Throughout the novel, the characters’ relationships are tested by their political situation. Lucia’s relationship with Ivette is a good example. How does Lucia react to the changing political situation in Cuba, at first? How is this different from and similar to the way that Ivette reacts? How do you think differences in the two girls’ circumstances and personalities impact their reactions? What choices do the girls make at first in an attempt to save their relationship? What events make it harder and harder for them to stay friends? Could the two have made different choices and stayed friends? Would it have been a good thing for both of them to stay friends, or is the breakup of their friendship inevitable and for the best? What does the loss of their friendship tell the reader about the Effects of Politics on Relationships?

Teaching Suggestion: Because this prompt asks students to consider multiple facets of the girls’ relationship over the entire span of the novel, it may seem daunting to students at first. If this is true for your students, you might break the prompt up visually into groups of questions: questions about their differing reactions and differing circumstances, questions about the various obstacles their friendship faces and the actions the two girls take to remain friends, and questions about the larger meaning of the breakup of their friendship.