Story: Bonne Anneé

A. Vocabulary

dispossess coup predominates natal regime

forsaken persecution jubilant adomant exile

______________________1. abandoned or deserted.

______________________2. banished from their native land.

______________________3. harsh treatment of others.

______________________4. to feel and express lots of happiness.

______________________5. not wanting to be persuaded or to have to change your mind.

______________________6. relating to birth.

______________________7. to deny someone possession of something.

______________________8. an authoritarian government.

______________________9. to be the most common.

_____________________10. sudden overthrow of a government.

B. Complete the sentences with the vocabulary words

dispossess coup predominates natal regime

forsaken persecution jubilant adomant exile

1. Everyone was absolutely __________________________ that her sickness was-not going to

cured.

2. His ______________________country is Haiti.

3. Juan has __________________________his idea to participate with the soccer team.

4. People await for a ________________________in Cuba.

5. There has always been a huge ________________________against black people.

6. Duvalier’s ________________________lasted for 30 years.

7. Dark colored eyes __________________ over light eyes.

8. Celia Cruz was an ________________________person that’s why she could not look to
homeland.

9. New York celebrates with _________________________ New Year’s in Time Square.

C. Answers the Questions

1. In what city are the gathered?

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2. What does Bonne Annee mean?

_____________________________________________________________________________

3. Who is Jean Pierre Benoit?

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4. What is the language that predominates?

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5. What is the reason they are reunited in Queens’ apartment?

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6. By whom the island was conquered?

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7. What was the name of Papa Doc?

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8. Jean – Pierre Duvalier had another name, what was it?

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9. What kind of essay did Jean-Pierre Benoit write?

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10. For how many years did Duvalier’s regimen last?

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11. Where is the author natal from?

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12. Why did they immigrate to New York?

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13. What are all Haitians waiting for?
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14. La Hispaniola Island which is divided into ____________________________ and

_______________________________________.

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D. Story Map

1. Title of the story: _________________________________________________________

2. Author: _________________________________________________________________

3. Setting of the story: _______________________________________________________

4. Statement of the problem:

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_____________________________________________________________________________

5. Summary of the beginning of the story:

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6. Summary of the middle of the story:

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_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

7. Summary of the end of the story:

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8. Statement of the solution:

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_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
9. Story theme. (the message of the story)
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

10. What is the main idea of the story?

_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

11. Write three details that support the main idea.

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E. Choose the best answer

1. The author does not remember living in Haiti because  

a. he blocked it out.  c. he was born and raised in NYC.

b. he was very young when his family left.  d. no one talks about it. 

2. What is a coup?

a. a soccer play c. a place where chickens live

b. an overthrow of the government d. a yearly celebration

3. The author’s family lives in New York instead of in Haiti because they 

a. they had to flee to avoid persecution c. think New York is a nicer place to live. 

b. do not feel connected to any country.  d. have family that gave them a free place to live
4. Haitians do not return to Haiti after “Papa Doc” Duvalier dies because

a. they want to watch the World Cup.  c. they like NYC better now. 

b. Haiti was destroyed in a coup.  d. Duvalier’s son, Bébé Doc Duvalier, takes over

and is also a dictator.

5. What does dispossess mean? 

a. to create a contract c. to settle an argument

b. to deny ownership d. to deny ownership

6. Natal is related to 

a. education c. birth

b. gardening d. weather

7. Why is January 1st important to Haitians?

a. It's Independence Day. c. It's like Christmas for them.

b. It's the 1st day of a new year. d. No one goes to work that day.

8. Predominates means ________. 

a. to require another language c. to change things around 

b. something is boring  d. Most common

9. How is the World Cup soccer game important to the author?

a. He never got to watch a soccer game before. c. Haiti beats Italy

b. It is the first time he felt proud of his home country.  d. He gets to travel to Chicago to

watch the game.

10. What is persecution?

a. To be charged for a crime.  c. Revolution or war

b. Immigration d. Harsh treatment due to race or religion.

11.  Our author's culture is

a. matriarchal b. patriarchal

12. This story is a

a. personal essay c. science fiction

b. fantasy d. biography

13. What is the main/central idea of the story?

a. A boy talks about his love for the United States.

b. Haiti is very good at sports and have won many championships.

c. A boy talks about the fall of Papa Doc and how he and his family are destined to return to
Haiti although he does not wish to return.

d. Papa Doc was a cruel leader who had many killed.

14. How is this story told?

a. In chronological order c. cause and effect

b. In problem/solution order
15. What point of view is the story told in?

a. First Person c. Third personal limited

b. Second Person d. Third person omniscient

16.  Which event is not ironic?

a. New Year's Day is also Haiti's Independence Day

b. Duvalier dies of natural causes

c. People are celebrating Baby Doc leaving in the middle of a snowstorm.

d. The author has no special love for his country.

Mention 3 facts about the story:

a. _________________________________________________________________

b. _________________________________________________________________

c. _________________________________________________________________

Mention your opinion about your story:

_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

How do you see the author feelings changing on toward the way he see Haiti from the start of
the essay to the end?

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_____________________________________________________________________________
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Questions and Answers:
1. Why did the author's family lives in New York instead of Haiti?

-They needed to flee to avoid persecution by Haiti's ruler.

2. Why is January first is an important day Haitians?

-Haiti's independence

3. Why doesn't the author remember living in Haiti?

-He was too young went they left Haiti.

4. When does the author feel proud he is from Haiti for the first time?

-When the world cup soccer match was shown at Madison Square Garden

5. Why don't Haitians return to Haiti after "Papa Doc" Duvaliers dies?

-because his son Bebe Doc takes over and he is a dictator too!

6. What happened in 1971?

-Papa Doc dies and Bebe Doc takes over! ( ruled for 14 years)

7. What happened in 1974?

-Haiti plays Italy in the World Cup and the author feels a connection to his heritage.

8. What happened in 1986?

-Haiti becomes independent because Bebe Doc leaves ( ruled for 15 years)
9. What does it mean when they say that Papa Doc's destinies were linked?

-The family left Haiti to flee persecution from Papa Doc and then when the Duvalier escape
they can return back to Haiti.

10. Why does the author keep stating " I have no special love for this country."

-He did not want to stay in the United States because of his love of Haiti, his country.

11. What is the author’s purpose for including the story about Haiti's appearance in the World
Cup?

-The author has pride in the team from his country, even though he doesn't remember living in
Haiti. He says'" Half of Madison Square Garden is delirious."

12. Describe the important connection Haitian immigrants still have to their homeland.

- Even though there was a blizzard in New York, the Haitians went outside and celebrated with
horns, flags and champagne, happy about the end of the Duvalier regime.

13. What is the connection between the people gathered in New York and the events occurring
in Haiti?

-New York was celebrating News Years Day and Haitians were celebrating their independence
day.

14. Irony is a contrast between what someone expects and what actual happens. Why is it ironic
that Papa Doc Duvalier died of natural causes?

-Everyone thought Papa Doc was evil and that a revolution or assassination would end his
life/rule...but instead he dies from natural causes.

15. Who is the author?

-Jean Pierre Benoit

16. What does Bonne Annee mean in French?

-Happy New Year

17. What is the setting at the beginning of the essay?

-A cold New Year's Day in New York City around 1960

17. Why is January 1st important to Haitians?

-It is independence day

18. What does the author mean by saying he has "no special love" for the U.S.?

-He does not feel a strong connection to the U.S

19. Who is Duvalier?

-The dictator in Haiti

20. What happens to Duvalier in the Spring of 1971?

- He dies

21. Who is Bebe Doc?

-The son of Duvalier.

22. What sport event has Haiti qualified for?

-The World Cup

23. Who does Haiti play against in the world cup?

-Italy
24. Where does the world cup take place?

-Madison Square Garden in New York City.

25. How does the author feel about Haiti being in the world cup?

-Excited and Proud

26. What do Haitian immigrants celebrate on February 7th, 1986?

-Jean Claude leaving the country

27. What is the central idea in "Bonne Anne?"

-The author's heart is divided. He has a soft spot for Haiti despite having grown up in the United
States.

28. Why doesn't the author want to move back to Haiti at the beginning of the personal essay?

-His friends are in New York. His teachers are in New York. His baseball team, the Mets, are in
New York.

29. Is "Bonne Annee" fiction or nonfiction?

-Nonfiction

30. The author does not remember living in Haiti because….

-he was very young when his family left.

31. Haitians do not return to Haiti after "Papa Doc" Duvalier dies because….

-Duvalier's son, Bébé Doc Duvalier, takes over and is also a dictator.