Dreaming in Cuban

Christina Garcia's novel Dreaming in Cuban will offer students a vivid picture of distant and present-day Cuba, as they contemplate how our past, good or bad, makes us into who we are today.

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Unit Summary

Christina Garcia’s Dreaming in Cuban is written in beautiful prose, packed with vivid imagery of Cuba. Garcia uniquely lays out her story through the lens of several characters, all members of the del Pino family. Narration shifts from third person limited to first person as we follow the different members of the family through different decades. Garcia’s narration style allows for the readers to discover the complicated nature of memory and transnationalism. Her use of imagery and figurative language helps to bring memories of distant and present-day Cuba to life. Garcia also seamlessly weaves in historical events as they impact characters, giving students a chance to learn about key events in Cuban and American history. In the end, this novel will leave students curious about Cuba, debating what we do for family and for those we love, and contemplating how our past, good or bad, creates who we are today.

Texts and Materials

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Core Materials

Book: Dreaming in Cuban by Christina Garcia (Ballantine Books, 1993)

Supporting Materials

Article: “Cold War Rivals: Cuba and the United States” by Mike Kubic (CommonLit.org)
Article: “Fidel Castro, Cuban Revolutionary Who Defied U.S., Dies at 90” by Anthony de Palma (New York Times, 2016)
Article: “The Rise and Fall of Karl Marx” by Mike Kubic (CommonLit.org)
Article: “Castro announces Mariel Boatlift” by History.com Editors (A&E Television Networks)

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Assessment

This assessment accompanies Unit 5 and should be given on the suggested assessment day or after completing the unit.

Key Knowledge

Intellectual Prep

Read and annotate the novel, considering the thematic questions as you read.
Read the paired passages.
Complete the unit test, including writing your mastery response to the essay question.

Essential Questions

Love: How is love passed from generation to generation? What do we do for those we love?
Betrayal: On some level, is betrayal of those we love inevitable? Can we forgive after betrayal?
Religion and Truth: What is the difference between what we believe to be true and what is actually true? Who holds the truth?
Memory and the Past: How important is our memory in determining ourselves? Is it possible to escape our pasts?

Writing Focus Areas

Students will write essays that draw upon multiple sources of fiction and nonfiction texts and materials.

Spiraling Literary Analysis Writing Focus Area

Students will write a clear and creative thesis that introduces their unique argument.
Students will select relevant evidence from multiple sources to support their thesis statements.
Students will weave partial quotations, rather than lengthy quotes from documents, into their arguments in order to support the thesis.

Related Teacher Tools:

Grades 9-12 Composition Writing Rubric

Vocabulary

Literary Terms

epistolary, juxtaposition, imagery, flashback, anecdote, first/third person narration, limited narration

Roots and Affixes

som-, patri-, matri-, sol-, poli, dis, ex, trans

Text-based

Section 1: Ordinary Seductions (pp. 3–101)
adversaries (3), scrutinize (3), feted (3), conjecture (4), octave (4), prescience (5), disquieting (5), ardor (5), buoyant (6), allegiance (6), covenant (6), nomad (7), lexicon (7), scouring (7), cicatrix (8), anarchy (9), lament (9), languid (11), intricate (11), sturdily (11), singed (12), benevolent (12), indignation (13), oblations (13), patron (14), dystopia (14), infelicities (14), implicit (17), unadorned (17), distorted (18), alluvial (18), elfin (19), canonize (19), sanctuary (19), enigma (19), malnourished (20), gait (24), somnambulist (21), vigorously (21), agility (21), exertions (21), obscure (21), fastidious (21), squalor (22), vigilance (22), incompetence (22), defiance (23), superimposed (24), doleful (25), subversive (26), abstract (29), unobtrusive (20), apiculture (30), cobalt (33), patriotism (36), solace (36), monocles (36), pallid (37), serrated (38), flamboyant (38), coaxes (39), melodramatic (39), pendulous (40), solace (41), indecency (42), appropriating (42), prosperity (45), obscenities (47), sire (v) (47), atrocity (48), porous (50), disarmingly (52), insomniac (52), debilitating (58), martyr (58), dilute (59), emissary (61), blustery (62), presentiment (65), abhor (65), ambiguity (65), scrutiny (67), fervently (69), illegible (72), fratricide (73), delusions (75), luminosity (75), paraphernalia (76), ecclesiastical (76), loping (78), withered (79), edifice (80), ornate (80), grotesque (81), simultaneously (81), oblivion (82), venereal (84), disdainfully (84), gaunt (84), exuberant (85), indifference (86), bristle (86), taut (86), animated (87), despondent (90), somnolence (90), clandestine (91), eclipsing (92), dispersed (92), naïve (94), primitive (95), alluring (95), dissonant (95), tyranny (98), arbitrary (n) (99), cuckold (99)
Section 2: Imagining Winter (pp. 105–209) belligerent (108), intricate (108), dismantle (108), genial (108), contemptuously (109), fissures (109), hypocrisies (109), florid (109), unfathomable (110), vehemently (111), civilian (111), prosperity (112), modus operandi (112), ungual (113), contradictory (114), discord (114), apolitical (114), forlorn (115), pandemonium (115), polemic (115), dispirited (116), haphazard (117), malcontent (118), sporadically (118), vulnerable (119), miniscule (119), pension (124), meager (124), eloquent (124), pampered (124), maladjusted (125), abstract (127), loiterer (128), ridicule (128), bigoted (128), denounce (128), hypocrite (128), equidistant (129), opulence (130), cloying (130), nostalgia (130), formidable (130), resolute (130), bric-a-brac (130), austere (130), quail (130), aviary (130), nefarious (135), asceticism (135), girandoles (136), imperious (137), exotic (137), effigy (137), commission (138), anomaly (139), irradiated (141), addles (146), vile (146), indiscretions (147), unequivocally (147), synthetic (149), clamorous (149), sparsely (149), scrupulous (149), pallid (150), mottled (150), voracious (150), coaxes (150), ursine (153), arbitrary (154), delirium (156), incubating (157), anguish (157), smug (157), reorient (158), opaque (159), resentment (159), unyielding (162), destitute (162), idealistic (163), frivolous (164), virtue (168), repugnance (168), conjugal (168), disdainful (168), profound (169), proprietor (170), legacy (171), fracas (171), metamorphosis (172), degenerate (173), feverishly (173), devour (173), calamity (174), atheist (175), derision (175), imperceptible (175), sloughing (175), artifice (175), premeditated (176), deception (176), mangled (176), distorting (176), embellishments (176), fomenting (177), scathing (177), exiles (177), cohorts (177), matrix (178), recombinant (178), infatuated (178), dignified (184), fulfillment (186), vocation (186), void (187), coronation (188), crestfallen (188), radiant (189), exorcism (190), remnants (194), reverberate (195), desolate (196), constituent (196), grotesque (197), bulbous (197), ambiguous (198), raucous (198), commiserate (198), co-opted (198), mainstreamed (198), rupture (200), traversed (202), furtively (202), modest (205), incessantly (205), endearing (206), vain (206), sullen (207), envious (207), oafish (207), pontifications (207), insufferable (208), brothel (209)
Section 3: The Languages Lost (pp. 213–end)
obscenity (213), catacombs (213), mortuary (214), obese (220), immolation (220), flukes (220), tyrant (223), deprivation (223), odious (223), beholden (224), lilting (224), intuited (224), fluidity (224), enticing (225), panoramic (225), humble (226), fraternized (226), philandering (226), unerring (227), subdued (228), monosyllable (229), critical mass (231), onslaught (231), parody (233), progressive (233), lambastes (233), diatribes (233), berates (234), currency (234), apoplectic (234), luxury (235), dissent (235), defectors (237), recedes (237), lurk (237), exodus (238), disillusions (240)

Idioms and Cultural References

Section 1:
nuclear position (3), campanero (4), mantilla (4), Panama hat (5), El Lidor (6), santera (7), Havana (9), Soviets (10), Holy Ascension (12), La Madrina (12), Por Dios (13), hija (13), Cyclops (17), Jimi Hendrix (23), brassiere (25), Bay of Pigs (25), Communist (26), Leftist (26), smallpox (28), beatnik (29), novella (32), Debussy (35), micro brigade (44), crucifix (59), purgatory (60), Moscow (61), caballero (62), transistor radio (68), Cuban Missile Crisis (81), dictatorship (97)
Section 2:
Sierra Maestra (105), Lieutenant (105), guerrillas (106), makeshift camp (106), New Socialist Women (107), Vietnam (107), companeros (116), exoneration (116), Che Guevara (132), Navarro (133), the Village (134), Lou Reed (134), Hedonism (135), Iggy Pop (135), Ramones (135), Cyrillic (145), Yoruba (147), orishas (147), santero (147), micro brigade (159), Changó (163), Kennedys (171), Joe McCarthy (171), Bay of Pigs (171), National Palace (177), Flaubert (178), Emily Dickinson (178), Gauguin (178), D.H. Lawrence (178), Hemingway (178), Third World (179), Gandhi (202), the Mafia (207)

Section 3:
Batista (220), “Granma” (220), Cadillac (221), plantados (233), political prisoner (233), the Committee for the Defense of the Revolution (234), embassy (236), Peruvian Embassy of Cuba (236), political refugee (239)

Content Knowledge and Connections

Students will gain background knowledge about Cuban history and culture during the regime of Fidel Castro.

Previous Fishtank ELA Connections

Mental illness connections to Grade 11 English Language Arts Unit 3: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.
Students may connect Grade 10 English Language Arts Unit 2: The Crucible scene in civil court, in which the court that was meant to keep everyone together pulls them apart.
The theme of identity connects with Grade 9 English Language Arts Unit 1: Short Stories and Grade 9 English Language Arts Unit 4: Purple Hibiscus.

Future Fishtank ELA Connections

Nonlinear narration throughout the novel will help prepare students for Grade 12 English Language Arts Unit 3: The God of Small Things.

Lesson Map

1

“Cold War Rivals: Cuba and the United States”

Explain the relationship between Cuba and the United States and the contributing factors to the rivalry between the two countries.

Become familiar with key terms and phrases from the unit.

2

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 3 – 9 — "Ordinary Seductions: Ocean Blue"

Explain Celia’s role in the family and her opinion of the United States.

Describe the importance of the setting.

3

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 9 – 15 — "Felicia del Pino"

Continue to develop the del Pina family tree.

Characterize Felicia based on her reaction to her father’s death.

4

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 17 – 25 — "Going South"

Characterize Lourdes based on today’s reading.

Explain how the author reveals theme through the descriptions of both the United States and Cuba in the opening chapters.

5

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 25 – 34 — "Pilar Puente"
“The Rise and Fall of Karl Marx”

Explain how Garcia uses tone to characterize Pilar.

Contrast views on Communism.

6

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 35 – 43 — "The House on Palmas Street"

Analyze and explain the symbolism of Celia’s pearl drop earrings.

7

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 44 – 48

Explain the symbolism of the sugar cane.

Describe Hugo and Felicia’s relationship.

8

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 49 – 55 — "Celia's Letters: 1935-1940"

Define “epistolary” and explain the author’s purpose for including Celia’s letters.

Identify tone in Celia’s letters.

9

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 57 – 64 — "A Grove of Lemons"

Describe the relationship between Lourdes and Pilar.

10

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 64 – 74 — "Lourdes"

Analyze and explain how Lourdes’s tragic past may have shaped her current views on Cuba, the United States, and immigration.

11

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 75 – 83 — "The Fire Between Them"

Explain the events that have shaped Felicia’s character thus far.

Analyze and explain how the author uses tone to create suspense.

12

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 83 – 89 — "Ivanito Villaverde"

Describe the relationship between Ivanito and his mother, Felicia.

13

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 89 – 95 — "Celia"

Discuss the impact men have had on the del Pino women so far in this novel.

14

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 97 – 101 — "Celia's Letters: 1942-1949"

Explain how Garcia reveals Celia’s past through her letters.

15

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 105 – 111 — "The Meaning of Shells (1974)"
“Fidel Castro, Cuban Revolutionary Who Defied U.S., Dies at 90”

Explain how the Cuban revolution impacts the relationship of Felicia and Celia.

16

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 111 – 119 — "1975"

Trace the development of Celia’s internal conflict and how she attempts to solve it.

17

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 119 – 126 — "Lus Villaverde"

Discuss and debate the fate of Hugo Villaverde.

18

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 127 – 133 — "Enough Attitude (1975)"

Contrast how Garcia describes New York and Cuba and explain what theme is revealed.

Explain the symbolism of Pilar’s gift to Lourdes.

19

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 134 – 144 — "Pilar (1976)"

Analyze the relationship between Lourdes and Pilar.

20

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 145 – 155 — "Baskets of Water, Ivanito"

Explain how Garcia uses symbolism to convey theme.

Identify and interpret irony in Felicia’s story.

21

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 155 – 160 — "1978"

Analyze and explain the relationship between Celia and Javier.

22

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 161 – 165 — "Celia's Letters: 1950-1955"

Analyze the impact of the author’s choice in chronology.

23

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 167 – 175 — "A Matrix of Light"

Explain how the author develops Lourdes’s character.

24

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 175 – 181 — "Pilar (1978)"

Analyze and explain how Garcia further develops Pilar’s character.

25

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 183 – 191 — "God's Will, Herminia Delgado"

Explain the factors that led to Felicia’s death.

Analyze the symbolism of the seashells.

26

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 193 – 203 — "Daughters of Chango (1979)"

Analyze and interpret Garcia’s use of flashback.

27

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 205 – 209 — "Celia's Letters"

Explain how Garcia further develops character through Celia’s letters and Jorge’s visits.

28

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 213 – 222 — "The Languages Lost: Six Days in April"

Analyze Garcia’s use of juxtaposition.

29

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 222 – 232 — "Lourdes"

Explain how Garcia reveals the impact that Cuba has on Lourdes.

Analyze how Garcia uses juxtaposition to reveal theme.

30

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 232 – 244 — "Castro Announces Mariel Boatlift"

Students will be able to explain the title of the final section using evidence from the final scenes.

31

Assessment

Common Core Standards

Core Standards

RI.11-12.1

RI.11-12.3

RI.11-12.6

RL.11-12.1

RL.11-12.2

RL.11-12.6

SL.11-12.1

SL.11-12.2

W.11-12.1

W.11-12.4

Dreaming in Cuban

Unit Summary

Texts and Materials

Core Materials

Supporting Materials

Assessment

Key Knowledge

Intellectual Prep

Essential Questions

Writing Focus Areas

Spiraling Literary Analysis Writing Focus Area

Related Teacher Tools:

Vocabulary

Literary Terms

Roots and Affixes

Text-based

Idioms and Cultural References

Content Knowledge and Connections

Previous Fishtank ELA Connections

Future Fishtank ELA Connections

Lesson Map

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3

4

5

6

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8

9

10

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Common Core Standards

Core Standards

Reading Standards for Informational Text

Reading Standards for Informational Text

Reading Standards for Informational Text

Reading Standards for Literature

Reading Standards for Literature

Reading Standards for Literature

Speaking and Listening Standards

Speaking and Listening Standards

Writing Standards

Writing Standards

Unit 4

Short Fiction: A Study of Genre

Unit 6

Waiting