Vocabulary
When Abuelita Remedios handed Pita a handkerchief to blow her nose, Pita used it indelicately, without worrying about manners or looking proper.
What does the word indelicately mean?
Act in a way that's improper, rude or likely to offend
Infect
Upon finally arriving at Abuelita Remedios's home at Hacienda Dorada, how does Abuelita treat Pita's wounded leg from the chupacabra attack?
She recognizes the chupacabra bite and uses powerful medicinal herbs to slowly cure Pita.
What is a theme evident in this excerpt of chapter 15 of Summer of the Mariposas?
Being kind and pure of heart can help people live fuller, more meaningful lives.
To prevent a bad infection from Chencho’s saliva, Abuelita Remedios treats the youngest sister for a bite from this mythical beast.
Chupacabra
Hearing Abuelita tell the truth about Papá made Odilia’s chest tighten, feeling so constricted that she could barely draw a deep breath.
What does constricted mean?
Feeling limited or restricted
Does the word infected have a suffix or prefix?
Suffix
What shocking truth about their estranged father does Abuelita Remedios reveal to the girls during their conversation?
He is alive, selfish, and has filed for divorce from their mother.
How is this theme (being kind and pure hearted) developed in this chapter? What relationship does the theme have to the characters, setting, and plot?
Through the words of wisdom from Abuelita because she expresses her pride in the sisters’ kindness and loyalty toward one another and asks them to continue to remain kind and caring toward one another as they return home. By now, the girls can understand this better than they could at the beginning of the story, since they have been through so much together.
Before reaching Abuelita's house, the sisters work together to carry the wounded Pita on this improvised transport device.
stretcher
"Abuelita Remedios spoke emphatically, leaving absolutely no doubt in the girls' minds that they needed to stop blaming themselves for their father’s abandonment."
What does emphatically mean in this quote?
Speaking with force and absolute clarity
Using your affix list, give the prefix of indelicately.
Tell me what the prefix means.
prefix: in-
Meaning of -in: in, on, not
How does Abuelita Remedios alter the sisters' harsh judgment of their mother, Mamá?
By explaining that Mamá loves them deeply and is struggling to take care of them all by herself.
Where else in the book has the author developed this theme (being kind and pure hearted)? Provide one example
- When the sisters chose to be kind and return the dead man to his family, they were able to begin their transformative journey and La Llorona came to aid them.
- Odilia repeatedly protects her sisters and comes to their rescue when they have made mistakes. Because of this kindness and nobility, the sisters are able to overcome challenges together.
Odilia uses bandages and an antiseptic found inside which sister's backpack to clean Pita's wound.
Juanita
“Exhilarated by the sight of our paternal grandmother’s home, we walked hurriedly down the hill toward the pink stucco building within the corral-like fence, being careful not to jostle Pita too much in the stretcher.” (240)
From the context, what do you think jostle means?
to push, bump or shove roughly
Using the affix list, give the prefix of the word reinvent. What does the prefix mean?
Prefix of reinvert: re-
Meaning of re-: again/back
How do the sisters feel emotionally as they reflect on their past resentment and judgment toward Mamá in this chapter?
How is the theme of being kind and pure hearted developed or built on in this chapter compared to previous chapters?
As the novel progresses, the Garza sisters transition from judging others and seeking self-preservation to actively practicing mercy, empathy, and forgiveness toward marginalized beings and broken adults. This evolution proves that true purity of heart is a mature commitment to unity and compassion, even when facing danger or corruption.
Abuelita Remedios works as this traditional Mexican healer, __________ using specialized herbs to treat Pita.
Curandera
When Abuelita Remedios refers to the girls' father as a louse, she means he is
Example: "Your father left because he's a louse, a good-for-nothing..."
A mean, selfish, and unpleasant person
Her expression softened as she looked down at the weary sisters, realizing how much they had endured on their journey.
What is the suffix of the word softened. What does that suffix mean?
Suffix of softened: -ed
Meaning of -ed: happened in the past
What core principle about family does Abuelita Remedios emphasize to the girls that ties together the chapter's themes of being kind and pure hearted?
Which earlier event best demonstrates the theme (being kind and pure hearted helps people live fuller and more meaningful lives) through a magical character or event?
When the Garza sisters discover that the terrifying monster attacking them is actually Chencho, a sad and lonely boy who cannot control his mythical impulses, they choose empathy over violence. By showing him mercy instead of destroying him, they experience a deeper emotional growth that expands their capacity for compassion.
Abuelita lets slip that Papá is up to no good and has officially filed for what legal action against Mamá.
Divorce