Julia Alvarez’s story, Snow, is full of beauty and terror. Alvarez weaves difficult topics into a beautifully written story. It’s about Yolanda, an immigrant young girl who just moved to New York. It is her first visit to America and she is wide-eyed. Yolanda soon learns enough English to realize that the Holocaust was real. She was researching the Cuban missile war crisis. Alvarez connects the story to her life and gives a historical perspective.

Alvarez was raised in New York City. After her birth, she moved to Dominican Republic. Her family lived there for ten-years. After ten long years, Alvarez and her family returned to New York City. Julia Alvarez was only a newborn when she first left the country. Alvarez’s story explains how it felt to move to a new country and the adjustments she had to make. Yolanda describes herself as an immigrant. Sister Zoe was her teacher and she treated her like a grandmother. Yolanda is excited about Sister Zoe. Because she was near the window, she received special care. This allowed her to learn quickly and uninterrupted. Yolanda learns new words and phrases in English shortly after learning them, such as “snow”. Yolanda saw “dots on the ground” that looked exactly like the drawings Sister Zoe had made. Although she thought she saw a bomb, Sister Zoe clarified that she wasn’t seeing one. It was the first time she had ever seen snow. Sister Zoe continued to explain to Yolanda, that every flake was unique, like an individual, irreplaceable, and beautiful. Alvarez’s beautiful story shows how she got through tough times and emerged stronger and happier for it. It is possible to find beauty in even the most difficult of situations. The Cuban missile crisis was a time when America’s children suffered. Alvarez shares the experiences of children in New York City in case there was an attack. She uses a dark tone in her diction. The story’s beginning line suggests a darker tone. It is the same feeling that she evokes when she later says, “At School, we had Air-raid Drills: An ominous Bell would go off, and us students would cover their heads with our jackets. We’d imagine our hair falling and our bones getting soft.” It is quite depressing to consider the reality that children have experienced this. Alvarez’s story aims to instill such sadness in the children and their future children that they will reconsider doing it again. Yolanda’s perception of snow is more beautiful than the bomb, which lifts spirits. The story’s ending has a new tone, from one of fear and doom to the other. This helps to show that there’s good in all things.

This story has a deep connection with me. Yolanda is an example of what it was like to be outsider. Except for Sister Zoe’s help, she was completely on her own in school. My teacher checked in on my progress and made sure that I felt loved. As I grew, I saw the harsh realities that children should not have to face. I was taught by someone to see the good and the ugly. When I was able to do that, my entire life transformed. It was like Yolanda. I found my inner light, and refuse to lose it.

Julia Alvarez’s “Snow”, a deeply moving and beautifully written story, is concluding. Her rich content is sure to tug at your heartstrings. By comparing Yolanda to herself, she connects the story to her own life. Although we can all relate in some way to Yolanda’s story, I think everyone can. There have been times when we felt our world was coming to an end. Sometimes all it takes is to be reminded to take a moment and appreciate the beauty around us. It is at least partially true, which is the best part about this story.

The Cuban missile Crisis is a significant American historical event. Both children and adults had must learn how prepare for air-raid drills. This is how Alvarez plays on the emotions of his readers, creating an amazing literary experience.

Author

  • noahtaylor

    Noah Taylor is a bloger, teacher, and writer living in upstate New York. He is the author of the highly successful educational blog, Noah's World, and the creator of the popular teacher resource, Noah's Notes. He has also written for many online publications, including Parenting, The Huffington Post, and The Learning Place. Noah is a graduate of Williams College and the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.