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1. In what format is the novel The Poet X composed?

The novel consists of 357 pages, all of which contain poems written by the protagonist of the novel Xiomara. The text is then also broken down into three distinct parts. Each poem is titled.

2. What does Mami see as the main shortcoming of parenting in the United States?

Mami feels that children in the United States are not given a regimented direction. Xiomara states, "She tells me this country is too soft / it gives kids too many choices" (16). This theme of control will come to dominate the relationship between Xiomara and Mami as the novel progresses.

3. In what way does the poem entitled "Mami Works" (11) portray Xiomara and Mami as character foils?

In the poem entitled "Mami Works," (11) Xiomara describes her mother's janitorial work in the Bronx. Every day Mami takes the train to earn money to support the family. At the end of the poem, Xiomara states a major difference between herself and her mother. She says that while Mami uses the train ride home to study the Bible and to prepare for evening Mass, Xiomara says that if she were in that situation, she would use the time to close her eyes and to dream.

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