Lesson4:Dialogue
Dialogueisthe exact wordsspokenbetweencharacters. Itrevealscharacters’personalities andbringsthemtolifebyshowingthe readerwhattheyarethinkingandfeeling.Dialogue can alsogivethe readerinformationaboutwhatishappeninginthe plot.
DIRECTIONS:Readthe followingpassagefromEdwidgeDandicat’sBreath,Eyes, Memory,aboutagirlnamedSophiemovingfromHaititoNewYorktolivewithher mother.Noticehowdialogueisused inthe story.Answerthe questionsthatfollow.
1Mymothercameforward.Iknew itwasmy motherbecauseshe came uptome andgrabbedmeandbegantospin melikeatop,soshe couldlook atme.
Thewomanwhohadbeenwithmelooked on withoutsayinganything. “Stayhere,”my mothersaidtomeinCreole.
Shewalkedover toacornerwiththe woman,whisperedafewthingstoher, and handedher whatseemedlikemoney.
5“Icannotthankyou enough,”my mothersaid.
“Thereisno need,”the womansaid. Shebowedslightlyandwalkedaway.
Iraisedmyhandtowavegood-bye.Thewomanhadalreadyturnedher backandwas headinginside.ItwasasthoughIhaddisappeared.Shedidnotevenseemeanymore.
Asthe womanwentthroughthe gate, mymotherkissed meon thelips.
“IcannotbelievethatIam lookingatyou,”she said. “Youaremy littlegirl.You arehere.”
10Shepinchedmy cheeksandpattedmy head.
“Saysomething,”she urged. “Saysomething.Justspeak tome. Letmehearyour voice.”
Shepressedmy faceagainsthers andheldfast.
“How areyou feeling?”she asked.“Did youhaveanice planeflight?” Inodded.
15“Youmustbeverytired,”she said. “Letusgohome.”
Shegrabbed my suitcasewithone hand andmy armwiththe other. Outsideitwasovercastandcool.
“Mygoodness.” Herscrawnybodyshivered.“Ididn’tevenbringyou somethingto putover yourdress.”
Shedroppedthe suitcaseon thesidewalk,tookoffthe denimjacketshe hadon andguidedmy armsthroughthe sleeves.
1. Whatemotionsareprobablygoingthrough Sophie’sheadinthis scene?Whatdetails
inthis scenesuggesther emotionalstate?Explain.
2. Whatdothe words,gestures,andactionsofSophie’smotherreveal abouther emotionalstateorher feelingstowardher daughter?Explain,referring tospecificplaces inthe textinyour answer.
3. How wouldthis scenebedifferentwithoutdialogue?Whatdoes dialogueadd tothis?
scene?Explain.