Chapters 6 & 7
Chapter 7 - What was Matt's teacher?
Matt's teacher was an eejit.
Chapter 9 - Who would Matt spy on in the music room?
Felicia as she was playing the piano
Chapter 10 - What does Celia say all Alacrans are?
Scorpions
Chapter 12 - Where does Celia reveal that she is from?
Durango, Aztlán - the same village where El Patrón was from.
Chapter 14 - What does Matt do once a week?
Once a week, Matt asks for a safe horse/goes to the stables and Tam Lin takes Matt on educational field trips.
Chapter 6 - What is the name of the town that influenced El Patron's family history and identity?
El Durango.
Chapter 8 - Who takes Matt to see the poppy fields?
Tam Lin
Chapter 10 - Why was Tom sent to boarding school?
As punishment for his cruelty and bad behavior.
Chapter 13 - Who killed Furball? Why? How?
Felicia killed Furball out of anger toward El Patrón for treating Matt so well. She did it using laudanum-laced hamburger meat.
Chapter 14 - What does Matt talk to Rosa about?
He does not like Rosa, but he is not sure why he wants to "wake her up", except that it seems horrible to see her so changed. He imagines Rosa banging on the walls with her fists, but no one comes to open the door. He talks to Rosa about everything he’d seen and done that week. But all Rosa ever replies is, “Do you wish for another horse, Master?”
Chapter 7 - Compare and contrast a clone and an eejit.
Eejits are like robots that do anything told and clones are made from other humans and if not dumb can think on their own.
Chapter 9 - Why does Mr. Alacran's father want to die?
He wants to die a natural death and he believes God his calling him.
Chapter 11 - How did Matt come to realize that his actions at the party were wrong?
Slowly, on the morning after the party, Matt regretted his decision to force Maria to kiss him. He sees her box of taffy and feels deeply guilty that he took advantage of a good friend and embarrassed her.
Chapter 13 - While at the lotus pond, what does Tom say is the meaning of life, and how does this reflect his character?
Tom says the meaning of life involves being at the top of the food chain which reflects his competitive, cut-throat, and ruthless character.
Chapter 14 - How does Matt's contemplation of Rosa's condition and his efforts to communicate with her reflect his growing empathy and understanding of the eejits' plight?
His empathy and understanding of the eejits is revealed in his desire to awaken her.
Chapter 6 - Explain how El Patron got the name Matteo Alacron.
He adopted that name after making his first million dollars. The name comes from the fact that people from Durango, the place in Aztlán (formerly Mexico) where he spent his youth, are called alacránes, which means "scorpions". El Patrón took Matteo Alacrán as his name when he earned his first million dollars
Chapter 9 - Why does Matt switch the seating cards at the party?
To assert control over and punish Tom.
Chapter 11 - Why did El Patron encourage Matt's actions during the gift exchange at the birthday party?
He might have encouraged his actions because he sees himself in Matt. El Patron believes that he should get anything and would get anything he wants, so he doesn’t see any difference for Matt.
Chapter 13 - How does the discovery of Felicia poisoning Furball change María’s perception of the Alacrán family?
The discovery of Felicia poisoning Furball leads to a profound shift in María's perception of the Alacrán family, shattering her previous understanding and trust. This revelation exposes the depths of cruelty and moral corruption within the family, particularly highlighting Felicia's unexpected capacity for evil. The poisoning of Furball increases her distrust and fear.
Chapter 14 - Discuss the significance of Matt's changing perception of the eejits and their treatment. What does this shift reveal about his evolving moral compass and his potential to challenge the established order in Opium?
His shift reveals his developing moral compass and desire to challenge the power structures.