We go all the way.” “If Felix had any small doubt about their friendship affecting their fight, it was being neatly dispelled.” “Neither gave an inch and neither fell to the canvas.” They continued to fight after the final bell in the third round because they were both so badly hurt throughout the course of the fight along with the roaring crowd noise and the adrenaline of the moment that neither fighters could hear the bell. “Felix and Antonio were past hearing. Their blows continued to pound on each other like hailstones.” The only way to get them off of each other is when “the referee and the two trainers pried Felix and Antonio apart.” What is ironic about how the match ended and the moments immediate after when the two amigos embraced each other? Support your answer with quotes from the text. The reader’s expectation is that the boys would continue to fight based on the intensity of the final round, but instead they embrace each other and walk out of the ring without knowing who won. “The referee was stunned by their savagery.” “A cry of alarm surged through Tompkins Square park. Was this a fight to the death instead of a boxing match?” “The fear soon gave way to wave upon wave of cheering as the two amigos embraced.” “The announcer turned to point to the winner and found himself alone. Arm in arm the champions had already left the ring.” Reread the last paragraph of the short story. Why does the author choose to end the story this way? How does this ending reinforce the theme: A person’s character is defined by the choices he/she makes during compromising situation? Use text evidence throughout the story to support your claim. The boys separate with a hug and, at the end of the fight, they reunite with a hug. These embraces illustrate the strength of their friendship. They are able to put their rivalry aside and due to their strong bond and respect for one another. “The amigo brothers were not ashamed to hug each other tightly.” “The fear soon gave way to wave upon wave of cheering as the two amigos embraced?” “After the fight, we can get together again as if nothing ever happened.” Introduce Vocabulary – Discuss with the students words that ar concrete and easy to explain (describes events/processes/ideas /concepts/experiences that are familiar) versus more abstract concepts (multiple meanings, unfamiliar words, needs additional explanation and connective ideas).
Meaning can be learned from context bouts sparring sessions barrage pulling punches torrent dignitaries evading flail entangled frenzied pried draws pensively dispelled lashed game Meaning needs to be provided tenement lanky pensively perpetual nimble bedlam clarity commenced unbridled feinted Compare and Contrast Students are to compare and contrast the characters Antonio Cruz and Felix Vargas’s action, motivations, and relationships in the short story, “Amigo Brothers.” Instruct the students to support their statements with evidence and/or direct quotes from the story. Diverse World Cultures Literature in context – Language connection Spanish terms found throughout the text: amigo – friend panin – slang for pal cheverote – the greatest hermano – brother suavecito – take it easy sabe – understand salsa – Latin American music senores y senoras – Gentleman and ladies mucho corazon – much courage or heart