Summer of the Mariposas
Who are the 5 Garza sisters?
Odilia (oldest), Juanita, Delia, Velia, and Pita (youngest)
What is a simile?
A comparison between two unlike things using the words "like" or "as".
What is "point of view", or "PoV"?
Point of view, or PoV, can be described as a character's perspective in the story. Different PoVs can provide the reader with information that other characters may not be aware about.
What is a characteristic?
A characteristic are the features or qualities of something.
What do you need around a direct quote?
Quotation marks beginning and end of textual evidence
What magical item was provided to Odilia, and who provided it?
Odilia was given a magical ear pendant. La Llorona gave it to her.
What is "imagery"?
When the author uses descriptive words that make it easy for the reader to visualize what's going on.
Whose point of view is Summer of the Mariposas in, and what type of perspective is it?
Odilia's point of view, first-person.
Does the following character trait relate to Odilia? Explain why or why not.
Immature
No, because Odilia takes care of her sisters and is responsible for keeping them safe.
On page 37, what is revealed to be Odilia's true wish? Use textual evidence to support your response.
Odilia's true wish was to be a family again. In the text, it mentions, "If I could have anything, I'd have Papa come back into our lives and take care of us...I wanted Mama to stop working and worrying all the time...I just wanted to be a family again" (McCall 37).
Why did the Garza sisters have to leave Ines's house in a rush?
The sister's pictures were on newspapers because their mother reported them as missing.
What is "verbal irony"?
Verbal irony is when a character says one thing but actually means the opposite.
At the end of Chapter 2, what does the audience know about Odilia that the other sisters do not know?
Odilia was secretly planning on turning in the body once they arrived at the border.
Does the following characteristic relate to Juanita? Explain why or why not.
Out spoken
Yes, because she says what is on her mind.
On page 102, how does the Perdido family respond to Gabriel Perdido's appearance?
The Perdido family felt miserable and sad. The text mentions, "Peace-exactly what we had hoped to bring. Her words confirmed it, but her face denied it. And we could all see it. She was miserable" (McCall 102).
What was the relationship between Gabriel Perdido and his family before he died?
Gabriel Perdido did not have a good relationship with his family, he abandoned them and refused to go back.
What is "hyperbole"?
Hyperbole is when you exaggerate something to make a point
What effect does the following excerpt produce for the reader? Be sure to explain your reasoning.
“Llorona?” I whispered, slowing down to get a better look, but as I did, the mysterious woman turned away from me. I watched the road ahead for a good place to turn around, but when I looked back, the woman was gone. Disappeared, like she’d never been there.
As I sped away, I had a suspicious feeling that I was needed back at our secluded rest stop, and I was right.
The excerpt produces the effect of suspense because the audience is left wondering about La Llorona's sudden appearance, perhaps as a foreshadowing of something about to happen.
Does the following characteristic relate to La Llorona? Explain why or why not.
Helpful
Yes, because she wants to help Odilia and the sisters succeed on their journey.
On page 107, what decision does Odilia make, and how do her sisters react? Use evidence to support your response for the second part of the question.
Odilia makes the decision to go visit Abuelita Remedios with her sisters and her sisters are visibly happy with the decision. According to the text, it states, "every one of my sisters stopped eating, stared, and then smiled at me. Their joy was evident in the way they nodded and grinned..." (McCall 107).
By the end of Chapter 8, where are the sisters?
Cecelia's house
List all 7 literary devices that we learned about earlier in the week.
Simile, metaphor, hyperbole, personification, imagery, pun, verbal irony
What effect does the following excerpt produce for the reader? Be sure to explain your reasoning.
"You and your sisters must remain pure of heart on this journey, Odilia. Be courageous but remember to also be noble and everything will be all right" (McCall 157)
The excerpt produces the effect of suspense because we as the reader know about La Llorona's warning to remain pure hearted, however, the other Garza sisters are unaware of this and continue to make fun of Cecilia.
Provide a character trait for Pita.
Cowardly, whiny, immature, etc.
In Chapter 8 on page 123, Delia is worried about their mother. What is she worried about and why?
Delia is worried the FBI will arrest their mother because no one knows they are in Mexico.