I am a Taxi Novel Study

Diego was faced with a dilemma: having two choices, both unfavourable. He will be criticized by some people and admired by others for making a bad choice (taking a job that sounded ‘iffy’, working for the cocaine producers, wanting to sell a brick of cocaine paste himself), for the right reason (he is the sole breadwinner in his family). What is your opinion about Diego’s actions? What do you think he should have done? Explain your point of view.

At the jungle cocaine tents, Diego worked hard and optimistically, hoping to make good money and return to his family. How do you feel about his choice to go into the jungle? Would you have done the same? What were his other choices? Predict what will happen to Diego next.

How do you like the book so far? Please comment on what you think are its strengths. Discuss the main idea, setting, and the characters.

Diego lied to his Mom about leaving for the job……he was excited, couldn’t believe he would soon be a free man, doing a free man’s labour for a free man’s wage. He felt like a king riding thru the city in the back of a pick up. He slept as they drove from the Altiplano, and woke up in a whole new world. Have you ever experienced mixed up feelings like Diego? Comment on Diego’s situation or one of your own.

At the end of the chapter Diego trudges through the jungle with a heavy bag of coca leaves on his back. He would prefer to sleep, but the boys are forced to work late into the night.

Predict what the boys will be doing next.

Diego seems almost sad and reflective about his family’s life in jail. He is putting pressure on himself to be the “good son”. As well, he is experiencing peer pressure from Mando and the offer for fast money. Predict which direction Diego will head? Why do you think so? What would you do if you were in Diego’s position?

Think back to your T charts that we created in class and summarize some of the differences that we noted between life in Bolivia and life in Canada.

Comment on Diego’s interactions with the prison guards:

·        How did he behave when he was with them? 

·        Why did he need to act this way – how did it help him?

·        What if you were Diego?  Would you/could you deal with the guards the same way as he did or would you have acted differently? 

·        How do you think Diego felt about the guards?

Respond to the incident in chapter two where Mrs. Morales tells Diego to bring back a receipt, implying that he might be irresponsible and spend the stamp money on candy.  “Diego was slightly insulted by that remark.  He was not a child, wasting money on frivolous things.  He was nearly a man, and he had a family to support.”       How does your role in life compare with Diego’s?

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