Making the Ordinary Extraordinary: Magical Realism in Latin American Literature

Lesson 7
icon/ela/white

ELA

Unit 4

10th Grade

Lesson 7 of 22

Objective


Analyze the effect the Book of Sand has on the narrator and the symbolism of his transformation.

Readings and Materials


  • Short Story: “The Book of Sand” by Jorge Luis Borges 

Fishtank Plus

Unlock features to optimize your prep time, plan engaging lessons, and monitor student progress.

Target Task


Discussion & Writing Prompt

What does the Book of Sand and the narrator's experience with it symbolize?

Sample Response

Upgrade to Fishtank Plus to view Sample Response.

Key Thinking


Close Read Questions

What is the narrator's tone in the first paragraph of the story?

How does Borges characterize the narrator through his interaction with the stranger?

What effect does the Book of Sand have on the narrator?

Consider the ending of the story. How does the way Borges ends his story reflect a central theme?

Vocabulary


Literary Terms

metafiction

a literary technique where a work of fiction draws attention to its own fictional nature, blurring the lines between fiction and reality

Homework


  • Book: Sun, Stone and Shadows: 20 Great Mexican Short Stories by Octavio Paz 

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • How does the narrator feel about taking the wave home with him? Why does he do it anyway?

  • Describe what happens on the train.

  • How long does the narrator spend in jail?

  • What initial impact does the wave have on the narrator's life?

  • What distinction does the narrator make between the wave and a woman?

  • Why does the narrator buy a colony of fish? How does seeing the wave with the fish make him feel?

  • What decision does the narrator make at the end of the story? Why?

Enhanced Lesson Plan

Fishtank Plus Content

Bring your most engaging lessons to life with comprehensive instructional guidance, detailed pacing, supports to meet every student's needs, and resources to strengthen your lesson planning and delivery.

Standards


  • RL.9-10.3 — Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme.
  • RL.9-10.4 — Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the cumulative impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone (e.g., how the language evokes a sense of time and place; how it sets a formal or informal tone).
  • RL.9-10.5 — Analyze how an author's choices concerning how to structure a text, order events within it (e.g., parallel plots), and manipulate time (e.g., pacing, flashbacks) create such effects as mystery, tension, or surprise.

Supporting Standards

L.9-10.1
L.9-10.6
RL.9-10.1
RL.9-10.6
SL.9-10.1
SL.9-10.6
W.9-10.9.a
W.9-10.10

Next

Analyze the diction and imagery Paz uses to describe the different stages of the narrator's relationship with the wave.

Lesson 8
icon/arrow/right/large

Lesson Map

A7CB09C2-D12F-4F55-80DB-37298FF0A765

Request a Demo

See all of the features of Fishtank in action and begin the conversation about adoption.

Learn more about Fishtank Learning School Adoption.

Contact Information

School Information

What courses are you interested in?

ELA

Math

Are you interested in onboarding professional learning for your teachers and instructional leaders?

Yes

No

Any other information you would like to provide about your school?

We Handle Materials So You Can Focus on Students

We Handle Materials So You Can Focus on Students

We've got you covered with rigorous, relevant, and adaptable ELA lesson plans for free