1. E N G L I S H 1 1 2
C H I C A N O L I T E R A T U R E
Features of a Novel/Skin Deep

2. Features of a Novel
 As we read Skin Deep, we are going to review and
discuss the features of a novel.
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJfeLkw7-ck

3. Setting
 The setting of any story is known as the orientation.
It is when and where the story takes place, or the
time and location in which it takes place.

4. Setting
 Where does Skin Deep take place?
 In the beginning it takes place in Manhattan, New
York. It then moves to Los Angeles, CA

5.  When does it take place?
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJfeLkw7-ck
 Possible hints: Page 42 “White Album”
 “CD” Page 43

6. Plot & Skin Deep
 Plot is essentially the story, or the events that make up
what the book is about. A good novel’s plot will be well
planned, make sense and contain few twists. It is the
beating heart of a story, so it needs to beat strong.
1. What happens first? (Summarizer)
2. What happens next?

7. Characters
 In Chapters 1 and 2, who have we met?
 David Loya
 Andrea (David’s girlfriend)
 Kurt Randall (friend of David)
 Did anyone “character analyze David?” Describe him.

8. Characters
 Who is the protagonist (main character) in this novel?
 At this point in the novel (chapters 1-2) has an antagonist
(someone that opposes the protagonist) entered the
scene yet?
 Are there any static characters yet?
 A static character is one that doesn’t change throughout the story.
 Are there any round characters?
 A round character is a character in a story that changes his/her
personality or actions as the story unfolds.
 Are there any flat characters?
 A flat character is similar to a static character; however, this person
is a main character where a static character is a minor one.

9. Has the Theme Emerged Yet?
 Outside of the plot, the 'theme' is often used to
describe an issue that runs through the story, for
example, fatherhood, unrequited love, racism. But it
can also be more subtle, - that which colours the
plot, sets its tone, gives it context, for
example, water, the sky, and can often be found in
the story's imagery and metaphors.
 or
 The central idea or concept in the story (Sometimes
could be the conflict of the story too)

10. Point of View & More questions about Skin Deep
 What is the point of view from the story?
 1st, 2nd or 3rd person?
 Upon embarking from the plane, David discussed
“another Los Angeles” (page 31). What is he talking
about?
 We first hear the word “Chicano” on page 34.
According to Juan, what is this word reserved for?
 Describe David’s parents/background.
 What does David mean by “closing the circle of this
past?”

11. Conflicts & Rising Action
What conflicts or problems have emerged in
Chapters 1-2?

12. Point of View
 Third-person point of view is that of an outsider
looking at the action.
 The writer may choose third-person omniscient, in
which the thoughts of every character are open to the
reader, or third-person limited, in which the reader
enters only one character's mind, either throughout
the entire work or in a specific section.
 Third-person limited differs from first-person
because the author's voice, not the character's
voice, is what you hear in the descriptive passages.
 What point of view is used in Bless me Ultima?