In this novel "Chino" plays a follwer role because what ever he is told he does, with hesitation but always does as he is told.

In this novel i dont think we could really trust anybody for the simple fact that everybody is llying to one another. But there is one person we can trust "Blanca", she is truthful she could never tell a lie because she is so pure.

Through the first 150 pages of the novel Bodega Dreams, the only people in my perspective that can be trusted are Chino and his lovely wife Blanca. Blanca can be trusted due to the fact that since the beginning of the book she has been honest and loyal to Chino. Blanca is also a religous person and has a good vision in what she wants in her future and also whats best for Chino. But Blanca isn't the only one in the book that can be trusted. Chino is also a trustworthy character. Even though Chino lies and/or keeps things away from his wife, he does what he does for the better of his family.

I don't see chino being a leader yet i don't see him being a follower. He doesn't follow anyone but at the same time he doesn't lead anyone no where, he doesn't tell anyone to do anyone. Yet the so called leader Bodega isn't really a leader. He doesn't lead anything if anything Naziro is the one that leads everything, he is the one that does the job while Bodega just outs in the money .

we must follow our instincts in order to find out who's the right person to trust. The book BODEGA DREAM gives us a variety of characters that exposed differents kind of personalities. indeed, one of the characters that we could trust would be CHINO, who would always have his friends back either on the good times or bad ones and who is willing to cover up into a lot in order to not let down the people he love. the book illustrates how chino is always there for SAPO no matter what, like after chino find out that he was the one who killed SALAZAR he still cover up for sapo telling his wife that sapo was not involved in salazar's incident.
i believe that chino is a good leader because is always follow his own rules and has his own opinion. although sometimes it may seemed like chino follow bodega, sapo, blanca and nazario's rule in my opinion he does it in order to accomplish his goals.
i believe that Bodega is not a good leader because in my opinion the only reason why he tries to make a better future for him and the neighborhood is to get back with vera. i also believe that if someone is really a true leader they need to have different motivations in order to achieve what they want.



Don't tell people how to do things, tell them what to do and let them surprise you with their results.

George S. Patton

Assignment #2 => Ana N.

I believe that in the novel Bodega Dreams the only person that can be trusted is Blanca. For the simple fact that throughout the book Blanca has always been sincere and go for what right. Chino can also be trusted but if it was up to me I will go for somebody who will always be honest with me. Unlike Chino who didn't want to tell Blanca the truth about Bodega and how he got the apartment. Also the ring Vera gave Chino, Blanca didn't want to take it from Chino because she knows that it will be the wrong thing to do even though Chino insisted Blanca to take the ring.

I don't think Chino is a follower, yes he has chosen to do the favor for Bodega getting to Vera but the reason he did it for was to get a better apartment for Blanca and his baby that is on the way.
Bodega in my opinion is not what i consider a leader. Even though what Bodega once said about he not showing his face and letting people see who he really is for the simple fact that he won't seem as powerful to people as he is now. Nazario in the other hand could be a real leader not only for showing his face and letting people see who he really is, but he the one who do all the work for bodega and knows how everything works int the community. He knows how people think and what they want.

"A great leader's courage to fulfill his vision comes from passion, not position."

....What I think..

..In the Bodega Dreams the person who I think I could trust Is Blanca, Chino and definitely Nazario.I could trust Blanca to start with because she is a woman of god that believes in doing good and acheiving the best in life. One thing that might get in the way is that she doesn't lie and that might get in the way if things get rough. In other hands I could also trust Chino because he always looks out for his friend Sapo in good and bad times. Even if it takes lieing Chino always can be trusted to get a job done.Nazario is one of the most i would trust only because i believe he does what he has to do with no questions asked. Nazario always has Bodegas back and does mostly everything. he seems like a trust worthy person.
A Person i see as a leader in this book is Bodega because i feel as if he runs the who community in bettering their lives and keeping things in order. Even though many don't know he is the so called Bodega he is well respected and is the circulation of what happens in Spanish Harlem and basically controls everything.

In the navel Bodega Dreams mostly everyone is a liar. the only one that can be trusted is Blanca. The reason why shes the only one that can be trusted is because she's to religious to lie.

Chino is a leader because he is choosing to do what wants hes doesn't go with the flow. He takes charge and tries to give his family a better life by doing sum dirty work.

Bodega is a leader for all the wrong reasons. Most people would become a leader from themselves but he does it for a girl that never loved him for who he is. even so, he is a leader and is loved by Puerto Rican.

Response: Assignment #2

Trust isn't an emotion or idea that is just given away in Bodega Dreams. Its really something that has to be earned in the text and in everyday life and in this case by the audience. In my opinion, i wouldn't really say there's a character that won a gold medalist for my trust. Sure the characters have their flaws, but I don't really i could trust them. For example:
William Irizarry: He has a lot of power and he seems like he's in a neutral state of either being a tyrant or a hero and i wouldn't really want to take a risk with that.
Nazario: Like Philip said " he knows the law from the back of his hands" and keeping that in mind he may know or have ideas how to work around it.
Julio: He lies quite a lot especially to his loved ones. Understanding that you want better for your family, but lying really isn't a good start, in my opinion.

"To lead, one must follow." - Lao Tzu

Maybe Chino is a leader, maybe he is not, but you can't really question a man's status when he is on the journey, you seek the answer when he is to his destination. Bodega on the other hand, has reach his destination. He is some sort of a leader but its questionable. He seems very inconsistent, and hidden and I don't think they are good aspects are presenting yourself as a leader.

Honestly, I don't think there is anyone who is a leader or a follower in the text. Why should I be one to judge their status as a individual because in some eyes many are seen as a leader and many see otherwise. There aren't really anyone to put up as consistent, or trustworthy which are two very big aspects of being a leader but just because they aren't a leader, that by any sense does not mean they are follower.

Assignment # 2-Leaders and Followers~ Rehana

"The key is to get to know people and trust them to be who they are. Instead, we trust people to be who we want them to be- and when they're not, we cry."


At this point the character I trust the most from the Novel Bodega Dreams is Blanca because her characteristics had remained consistent throughout the story. Blanca knows what she wants in her life and from others. Although a religious person, Blanca is very intellectual. She can identify from right and wrong and knows what she should be aware of. For example: the situation with Veras ring. Although she and chino are struggling financially, she knows that she can not allow Chino to keep the ring when it does not belong to them even with Vera permission.



I think Willie Bodega is a leader because he basically owns everything and has people such as Nazario work for him. It was his idea to help the community of Spanish Harlem and hes the one that took the steps necessary to follow through on his ideas.

Although Nazario is a follower for the moment working for Willie Bodega, he has the potential to be a leader. He knows how to communicate and earn the respect of others. He is also very smart because he only tells people what they need to hear as noticed by chino.

I think Chino is a leader because he can deny Willy Bodega when he wants. But unfortunatly with a baby on its way, Chino now depends on Bodega for support.

You can not trust no one in this novel because everybody has somehting it hide and that they will do everything to keep it hiden. Blanca is probably the only one that can trusted because she tell you everything like it nothing because she doesn't care much unless it good.

Chino is a follower because he following Bodega and doing everything he says. Bodega can't be a leader if he weak and doesn't know what is going on in his empire.

Being the leader

If anyone is to be trusted in the book "Bodega Dreams", I would say it has to be Nazario. Bodega's trusted him for all those years, and hasn't failed yet. Although he can at the same time be the person to trust the least because of his profession. The Lawyer. Personally, I would trust him. He'd cover for me(most likely) if I was at risk to be jailed. Everyone must have read about that hotdog stand scene. If Nazario really knows the law like the back of his hand, he's someone you want on your side.

Question#1:

Chino is no Fidel Castro or Hitler. He'd definitely be the type to follow, rather than lead. My evidence is not what Chino has done so far, but what he HASN'T done so far. He isn't leading blanca through her maternity very well, and he couldn't lead his life out of El Bario.

Question#2:

In some sense, Willie is indeed a leader of sorts. He has lead El Bario for years without being busted by the police and he's gotten god-knows how many people out of the deep despair of poverty.

List of Leaders in Bodega Dreams:

List of Followers:

Sapo

Nazario

Chino

Blanca

Victor

Negra

Me

Momma Dee

If it was up to me to decide the trustworthy people in Bodega Dreams then I would pick nobody. I believe nobody in Bodega Dreams can be trusted because everybody back stabs each other . The 6 main characters in Bodega Dreams are Vera, Willie Bodega, Nazario, Blanca, Sapo and Chino and out of these characters all of them have potential to be backstabbers for the right cause or motive. Vera ; Willie Bodega lost love can not be trusted because she seem to have a lust for money and when she was younger she disrespected Bodegas trust when she left him for money to marry some rich Cuban man. Willie Bodega the brains of the story may just be the most intellectual man in the book because he uses common sense and wisdom to make moves. he thinks before he acts. This man can DEFIANTLY not be trusted because he munlipilates people minds to do what he wants them to do and always has a secret motive. A perfect example of this would be when tricked Chino into thinking he was the most important piece of his puzzle to find Vera when in reality it was all a plot to make him look better. Nazario the man of the hour can also not be trusted because he does anything Bodega tells him to do and makes lies happen such as bribing people to complete his dirty jobs. Blanca & Sapo the two people who are rarely in the novel are another duo who cannot be trusted just because they don't like each other. Blanca the religious one whom who not accept a ring which her aunt gave her husband just because it was the "wrong" thing to do and would report Sapo to the police if she found out he was the real killer of the reporter. But yet she could help commit a Federal crime by finding a bogus person to marry her immigrant friend. Sapo whom would do anything and betray anything to save his own neck has the most potential to dishonor somebody because He lives life day by day. Last but not least Chino the person who disobeys his wife with lies the person he claims he loves just to get a better apartment but the question is ; " Is it worth getting involved with the wrong people?"

QUESTION #2

The leaders in Bodega Dreams is definatly Willie Bodega and the followers are everybody else in the novel. Willie Bodega is the leader because he makes people believe everything he says one way or another. Everybody in the novel is tied with Willie Bodega one way or another and has heard of him . With his dreams to make the community better he even tricked the "smart" minds of college students such as Chino who has bought into his dream. Not only has he feed everybody lies he has them following them as recruiters and god forbid if anything happens to him because his followers would rise and riot for him... Even people who dont even know how he looks.

-Momma Dee

Someone in Bodega Dreams i trust is Sapo Because Sapo will always have your back ,like in a fight and if you need a bigger home for you and your pregnant wife.I personally thing that Bodega is running everything because of the nonsense going on in the book is because of Bodega,

Chino is not a follower but he will follow someone to help out his family like Bodega


“Ask me to play. I'll play.Ask me to shoot. I'll shoot.Ask me to pass. I'll pass.Ask me to steal, block out, sacrifice, lead, dominate.ANYTHING.But it's not what you ask of me.It's what I ask of myself.” -LeBron James

My Response

I think Nazario Is the leader in this novel because he is the face to everyone in the community while Bodega is just the name. Nazario is known throughout the community and people look up to him not only from his presence but his non stop leadership throughout the community. I feel like Sapo is a follower in this novel because he does what he is told. For example when Bodega told Sapo to kill the reporter and Sapo did it not really caring or thinking about the consequences in the long run.

The best executive is the one who has sense enough to pick good men to do what he wants done, and self-restraint to keep from meddling with them while they do it.

~Theodore Roosevelt~

The characters in this novel that I would trust are Blanca,Chino, and Nazario. All three characters seem trust worthy because throughout the novel they have been reliable to other characters in the novel. Other characters like Negra and Sapo, not so much because there always spilling the beans after awhile I would trust Chino from the novel Bodega dreams because not only is he protecting Sapo from getting caught but is trying to make a better life for his family, even though he has to lie to Blanca to protect her.

~Margaretha DeJesus

Assignment #2

I would probably trust Chino if it came down to it because even though he knows that Sapo killed Alberto Salazar he hasn't say a word to anyone knowing the kind of trouble he can get in. Also another thing is even though he doesn't want to get Blanca angry he still holds Sapo packages in the apartment and is there for him though anything.

I think Edwin Nazario is a leader because his the face for the operation even though willie bodega name is the name everybody respects because thats where all the money and housing is coming from. Nazario is the man they all go to and is the brains of everything.

Assigment #2 Ashley

Question 1

One character from the novel Bodega Dreams that I feel could be trusted the most is Chino. I chose Chino because everytime that Sapo passed by Chino's house to drop a "package" off for Chino to hold for him he would keep it safe. Also Chino knows that it was Sapo who killed Salazar but remains silent about it.




Question 2

I feel that Chino is a follower because he does everything he is told to do. Everything Sapo or Bodega ask of him he does even if its not for his own good.

“True leadership must be for the benefit of the followers, not the enrichment of the leaders.”
-Reboert Townsend

So far in the novel Bodega Dreams, the character that I most trust would be Chino because he is a man that follows himself and no others. The only reason Chino followed bodega was because bodega the power and money to get what Chino needed which was a new place for his family. Also the reason for Chino in helping Sapo is that Chino and Sapo had been pana's back when they were in school. Sapo always had Chino's back, so in repay Chino wanna help Sapo now that he's in trouble.

Assignment #2-- Leaders and Followers

Can we trust anyone in this novel?
Why?
Why not?
Who can we trust?
Who do you trust?
Choose a character from Bodega Dreams you most trust and then provide an explanation that uses evidence from the text to support your claims

Is Chino a leader or follower?
Is Bodega truly a leader?

Who are the leaders and followers of Bodega Dreams? Please provide evidence from the text that supports your opinion.

Few are those who see with their own eyes and feel with their own hearts.
-Albert Einstein

(Notice the hyperlink above? I would like for your blog entry to contain one hyperlink that connects a word or words to more information available on the Web)

"The tragedy is not that love doesn't last. The tragedy is the love that lasts."

"The tragedy is not that love doesn't last. The tragedy is the love that lasts."
to me this qoute means that its harder to stay in love or to love someone, its easier for a feeling to end rather to last. this qoute shows that you have more pain with holdin on to an old love such as in Bodega Dreams, Bodega still holds feelings for Vera thats why he goes through so much trouble to find her.
_johnathan capellan

Jorge's responds to the 1st assignment,

"If you love somebody, let them go, if they return, they were always yours. if they don't, they never were." In other words, the person that you love, if let go will come back if they really have feelings for you. This is well illustrated in the book Bodega Dreams where the character Vera leaves the love of her life for a rich cuban and moves to Florida. Yet the love of her life, Bodega, is still madly in love with her and is doing everything in his power to get her back to New York to win her love back. This is how I see that the quote relates to the book.

• Does Chino get caught by his wife?
• Does Blanca leave Chino if she finds out?
• Does Vera & Bodega re-flame the sparks that were left behind?
  

"if you love somebody, let them go. If they return, they were always yours. if they don't, they never we're."

This quote is ok, i like it because it's true if you let someone go they tend to come back, but then if they dont come back then this is what the have been wanting.Bodega let Vera go and she didnt come back maybe she doesnt want to be with him.

When are they ever going to get to to the point? is Vera coming back,Will Chino stop digging his hole deeper?

Question #1 Response

"The tragedy is not that love doesn't last. The tragedy is the love that lasts."

This quote is exemplified throughout this novel because Bodega still has hope that Vera may still harbor that love for him that he has for her. If that love is still there after so long, than it would the tragedy of his life but if it doesn't then it wouldn't really make much of a difference except a tragic heartbreak. In my opinion, sometimes in life the only experiences that make a difference are the ones you lived through but if it never happened that it would just be an unattended desire.

Questions:
1. Will there be a possibility of Bodega's death if Vera doesnt love him?
2. How might Bodega's life be different if Vera married him?
3. Love is a tragedy, so what other is a tragedy that lasts?

My Response To The Quote

*"If you love somebody, let them go. If they return, they were always yours. If they don't, they never were."

I really like this quote because it explains how true love can go the extra mile, and how it has to be an equal partnership. I also like this quote because it shows you who is there for you in the long run from their dedication to be by your side through thick and thin. This quote to me reminds me of Bodega & Vera and there love. Bodega just wanted Vera to be happier and thought by letting her go would let her have a better life. No matter how long Bodega hasn't seen Vera his heart still beats for her and will never forget that.

Questions:

*Does Vera still love Bodega?

*Will Bodega & Vera get back together?

*Will Bodega change for Vera?

~Margaretha DeJesus~

Quotation Response #1 - Rehana

"The love that lasts the longest is the love that is never returned"

This quote implies to the relationship between Bodega and Vera in the novel Bodega Dreams. In the story Bodega love for Vera still exist but it was never returned to him because Vera had to move on with her life and may possibly forgotten him. I agree with this quote because You can't always do something and expect something in return. In some situations the love between two people can be so strong that it doesn't need to returned as long as that love exists. This quote may also imply to a sacrifice made by a lover due to the situation of their relationship. For example Bodega had sacrificed his love for Vera's happiness because he thought he didn't deserve her and maybe it was best for Vera to be married with someone who had money.

* Do you predict at some point in the story Bodega's love for Vera will be returned?

* Suppose Vera denies Bodegas proposal, how will he react?

*How will Vera feel about Bodegas job in the community and will she accept it?

Assigment 1 Ashley

"If you love somebody, let them go. If they return, they were always yours. If they don't, they never were"

I like this quote because I actually believe in it. For example, if your in a relationship and you love the person but they feel that their love isn't as strong as yours then let them go & find their true love. If for some reason they come back its because they realized they actually do love you. I feel that this connects to Bodega Dreams because it kind of refers to Bodega & Vera; she loved him & he loved her but he had to let her go.

Question : What if the person did love you but never returned?

• "If you love somebody, let them go. If they return, they were always yours. If they don't, they never were."
• 
  
• 
  
• i choose this quotation because it relate to me as well as the book bodega dreams. in the book we see how bodega struggle to get what he wants just because of his long-lost love Vera who ran away from him and got married behind his back just because he did not have what was necessary to achieve a better future.on the book bodega mentions how Vera once told him that she did not mind that he had no money but that he had no vision of how to get neither.therefore bodega decide to set Vera free and as time pass find out if it was meant to be or not by getting back with her.do you agree with me or do you think that bodega took the wrong decision by letting Vera go?. do you do you think that Vera would get back with him or just keep on with her life?.let me know what you think
  

..My Response--- ShaRiLyn

"The love that lasts the longest is the love that is never returned."

I agree with this qoute because it is true. The longer you love someone the bigger the relationship is. You cant take back all the love you share with someone depending on how long you been with them. True love cant be taken back or earased.I predict that maybe Bodega from the book "Bodega Dreams" is still in love with Vera and cant go of their past love relationship. Love that last the longest will always stay with you..

Quotation Response #1 - Miguel R.

"If you love somebody, let them go. If they return, they were always yours. If they don't, they never were."



It simply explains that if the willingness of that person that "loves" you to return to you after leaving shows their passion or ambition to be with you. In the book Bodega Dreams, Willie Bodega released the one he truly loved, Vera, to marry another man. It seems as if she is coming back into his life and their love has not disappeared. If Bodega olans everything accordingly to her arrival and is able to confront then he may have his shot at true love once again since his days as a Young Lord.

-What kept Willie's love for Vera still in affect?
-Does Vera still have the same feelings for Bodega since teen years?
-What may occur if Bodega is able to confront Vera and express his emotions/thoughts to her?

Quote Reponse => Ana N.

"The love that lasts the longest is the love that is never returned"

This quote means when a person has a strong love toward another person but is never return to them. In Bodega Dreams this quote relates a lot to Vera and Bodega because Bodega has never forgotten about Vera. Bodega Still feels the same for Vera since she got married and left to Florida with the Cuban guy. When Vera comes back Bodega might end up broken hearted because Vera probably has moved on and doesnt't have the same feelings towards him.

Response to Assignment #1 -Leslie

"The tragedy is not that love doesn't last. The tragedy is the love that lasts."

i think this quote is true because alot of the times the issue is not that u broke up or anything like that its afterwards weeks, months, years sometimes maybe a lifetime that u still think of this person and your love never went away for them and sometimes they find a way back into your life and the hardest thing is accepting them back especially if you are at a different stage in your life and there were just someone in your past and you start to think about all the reasons you broke up with that person, yet wander why you care for them so much. this connects to vera and willie because even though were not sure exactly how vera and willie have a connection its a big percentage they had some sort of love connection and willie possibly wants that back.

1.do you think deep down chino knows he most likely won't be able to stop working with bodega even though he tries to convince himself after vera and willie meet his job is over?

2.why is it so important for willie to meet vera, what history do they have together?

3.if blanca does find out about all these things chino is involved in with bodega and all his "contributions to the neighborhood" and how is making his money and that they're living in his housing, how will she handle it and where does there relationship lie?

The quote that I pick was "If you love somebody, let them go. If they return, they were always yours. If they don't, they never were." This quote shows me that if you love someone you should let them choose a path that they like to go. In other words if you like someone or someone likes you, let choose who they want to be with and if they choose you then her love to you is very deep, but she she don't then you move on.

Quote response

"If you love somebody, let them go. If they return, they were always yours. If they don't, they never were."

This quote definitely speaks to me most because of the flow of logic. It's also very simple to envision too. Letting said loved one go and having him/her return confirms the love relationship, while letting the love go and then never having it be revived simply means the relation was not meant to be. For instance, the possibility that Vera loves Bodega and is actually returning to El Barrio not for that auditorium event, but actually for Willie.

-Felipe

Quotation Response #1

Below, I've listed three quotations of varying concentrations. Your task is to respond to the quotation that most moves you and triggers an emotional reaction. I'd like you to create a posting of your own (click the blue rectangle labeled "create a post" on your work-page) and discuss what this quotation means to you and why it moves you.
I would love for you to respond to the quotation by making reference to the characters and themes of Bodega Dreams as well as our varying discussions surrounding our reading of this novel.
I'd then like you to pose three questions to your classmates within your posting that extends the discussion. Are there questions you have concerning the quote or our discussions concerning the big ideas and issues of the novel?
Additionally, you are to comment on two other postings that have been published on our blog. The assignment may seem daunting but you do have a week to complete it. Have fun with it and I look forward to reading your postings. Here are the quotations:

• "The tragedy is not that love doesn't last. The tragedy is the love that lasts."

• "The love that lasts the longest is the love that is never returned."

• "If you love somebody, let them go. If they return, they were always yours. If they don't, they never were."

Welcome Juniors!
I hope you're as excited as I am about this opportunity to engage in intelligent and creative discussion concerning our classroom studies and conversations. This will present all of you (including myself) with the opportunity to share our ideas, concerns and tips on all aspects of the English classroom.
I look forward to utilizing this tool throughout the school year and stay tuned for your first assignment!