Summer of the Mariposas
Who are the 5 Garza sisters? List them in the order of their ages.
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's a theme?
A theme is the message or lesson behind a story or text.
How should you begin an essay/ paragraph/ or short answer response that pulls evidence from the text?
In the Chapter _____ on Page ______ of "Summer of the Mariposas" by Guadalupe Garcia McCall,
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 theme relate to Summer of the Mariposas? If so, explain yourself.
"If you work hard enough, you can overcome anything."
The following theme does NOT relate to Summer of the Mariposas.
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).
The car's radiator broke down and it eventually got towed away. The sisters have to walk the remaining distance to their Abuelita Remedios' house.
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 theme relate to Summer of the Mariposas? If so, explain yourself.
"Family can overcome all adversity"
The theme, "family can overcome all adversity", relates to Summer of the Mariposas because throughout the book so far, the Garza sisters work together to overcome their challenges.
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 a "pun"?
A pun is when a phrase has a play on words and can have multiple meanings.
A single word has two different meanings, and the joke uses both at the same time.
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 theme relate to Summer of the Mariposas? If so, explain yourself.
"Appearances can be deceiving"
The theme, "appearances can be deceiving", can relate to Summer of the Mariposas because in Chapter 8, Cecilia, who seemingly looked like a friendly woman, turned out to be a witch who wanted to trick the Garza sisters into staying with her forever.
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 9, how many days have passed for the Garza sisters since they've left their home?
2 days.
What is a "metaphor"?
A figure of speech that compares two different things by saying one thing is another.
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.
In Chapters 1–9, the Garza sisters' cross-border journey into Mexico is guided by La Llorona, who gives Odilia an ear pendant and tasks her with returning a drowned man's body to his family. This supernatural quest highlights what central theme?
"What is sisterly unity (or female empowerment / honoring family and heritage)?"
(Acceptable responses also include: sisterhood, the bond between sisters, or matriarchal strength / cultural identity.)
In Chapter 9, Cecilia mentions that the Garza sisters can receive help from a specific person. Who is that person, and how do the sisters know to trust them? Use textual evidence to support your response.
Cecilia mentions to the Garza sisters to visit Teresita. The sisters know to trust Teresita because Cecilia describes Teresita as, "Teresita won't hurt you. She works only for good. It is her wisdom that finds the lost and turns the wicked" (McCall 155).