Plot
What is the setting of the story?
Mexico
(I will also accept Eagle Pass, Texas, Rio Grande, Hacienda Dorada)
What is one major symbol of this book, and what does it represent?
Butterflies/Mariposas = Transformation
Who is "The Mentor" in this story?
La Llorona
“I am here in your service, to guide and protect you”
What Greek story does "Summer of the Mariposas" allude to (reference) consistently throughout the story?
The Odyssey/ Odysseus
Answer both parts of the question to receive full points:
1. What is different about the Chupacabra from the other monsters the girls face on their trip?
2. What "test" does the Chupacabra represent for the girls on their journey?
1. He couldn't control his transformation, and he did not want to hurt them
2. The girls must stay noble and kind according to La Llorona, so they decide not to kill him/ let him go
How did the father's return in Chapter 18-19 "test" the sisters?
What is the Talisman in this story? (Hint: It's what the Mentor gives to the Main character/ Hero)
Who in Greek Mythology is Cecilia supposed to represent?
Circe, the witch who tries and trap Odysseus on her island by eating the lotus flowers
What is a major theme of the book?
The imporance of family, The importance of sisterhood, transformation
Name one character that went through a Transformation, and describe that transformation.
1. Mama, Odilia, Pita, The other sisters, Papa, La Llorona
List at least 3 "tests" the girls faced on their journey.
1. Lechuzas
2. Nagual
3. Chupacabra
4. Cecilia
5. Their Father's return
What did the author change about La Llorona's back story?
You must answer both parts of the question to receive full points:
What are the two major reasons for the journey the girls take? (why did they go to Mexico?)
1. To return the dead man's body to his family
2. To become closer as sisters/ a family
List at least 1 similarity between the two Quinceneras in the story.
1. Both Quinces were interrupted by the family's father
2. In both cases, the return of the father did not "fix" the family
Answer ALL parts of the question to receive full points:
1. What is a Talisman?
2. Who gives the Hero the Talisman?
3. What is the purpose of the Talisman? Why is it important/ what does it do?
1. A magical tool that is often given by the mentor to the hero to use on their journey
2. The mentor
3. It is specifically a magical tool that helps the hero on their journey
Answer both parts of the question to receive full points:
What are Lechuzas? How do you defeat them?
Lechuzas are witch owls who hunt in packs of 13
They can be defeated by praying the rosary 7 times/ beating them up with barn tools
At the end of the book, Odilia tells Juantita that Papa DID bring a gift to her quinceañera, she just couldn't see it. What was that gift?
Any of the following would be considered correct:
1. Forgiveness
2. Admitting he messed up and that he was sorry
3. Leaving Mama alone after realizing she was happy
Answer both parts of the question to receive full points:
Name one Loteria introduction to a chapter, and how it ended up foreshadowing the chapter.
Answsers will vary, you MUST connect it to what happens in the chapter
The hero in a Hero's Journey story has these qualities:
1. The hero is often singled out/ chosen for this journey
2. They realize there is something wrong in the world they currently live in
Come up with 1 example for each statement that shows Odilia is the hero
1. La Llorona tells Odilia that finding the dead mans body was not a mistake, that she was chosen, and that she comes from Aztec bloodlines “You were chosen for the goodness in your heart...you are noble and kindhearted.”
2. Odilia realizes her and her sisters have been neglecting their mom, acting wild not doing their chores, and that their family has been broken since papa left
On their return home, the girls take a boat ride with a Chalupita that takes them through Ancient Tenochitlan.
1. What is the cultural significance of Tenochitlan? What is the significance of that trip to our main characters?
Any of the following will be considered correct:
1. It was a thriving community of Aztecs living on the water, and it is where Odilia's mom's ancestors are from
2. It becomes modern-day Mexico City, due to the settlers finding an Eagle, perched on a cactus, with a snake in its mouth