Research the U.S. occupation of the Dominican Republic. Who were some of the major players? Was the U.S. government welcome? How did the occupation affect the Dominican Republic's economy? How did the occupation affect the Dominican Republic's relations with other countries throughout Latin America?

Who were the parigüayos? Where does their name come from?

Explore the ways in which Díaz uses words that share a common origin in the English and Spanish languages. Cite examples. How does Díaz's use of language reflect his characters' environment?

Who were the Tainos? What geographical region did they occupy? Did they really come from South America, as Yunior suggests? Are the Tainos an extinct race of people, or are their descendents alive today? Examine the cultural history they left behind.

Research the Cave of the Jagua. Is it...