1. How does Gabriel and Rafael's relationship differ from Ramona and Marisol's? To what extent are these differences due to the characters' genders? To what extent do these differences stem from their cultural heritages?

2. How does life differ in Salud from life in El Building? From life in a nonPuerto Rican neighborhood on the mainland?

3. Why did Guzman leave Rosa? Under what circumstances, if any, would the outcome of their relationship have been different?

4. Why did Sarita agree to marry Guzman?

Why did Guzman agree to marry Sarita?

After marrying Sarita, what was Guzman's life probably like?

5. Characterize Carmelo. If he had survived the Korean Conflict, would Guzman's life likely have turned out differently?

6. How would the novel be different if it were told completely in third person, instead of a mixture of third and first person? How would if be different if it were...