Dreaming in Cuban

Lesson 11
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ELA

Unit 5

11th Grade

Lesson 11 of 31

Objective


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

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

Readings and Materials


  • Book: Dreaming in Cuban by Christina Garcia  pp. 75 – 83 — "The Fire Between Them"

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Target Task


Question 1

How does the juxtaposition on p. 81 reveal theme? Explain using evidence.

Question 2

Which of the following best describes Garcia’s tone on p. 81–82?

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Sample Response

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Based on your answer above, how does the tone serve to heighten the reader's’ suspense? Explain.

Key Questions


  • How do Felicia’s delusions impact her on pp. 75–76?
  • How did religion impact Felicia’s childhood? 
  • Who is Saint Sebastian? What does he represent?
  • How does Felicia feel about Ivanito according to p. 78?
  • What was Felicia and Hugo’s first interaction like? What was the power dynamic?
  • What do we discover about Felicia’s past on p. 79? 
  • Why does the author include the anecdote of Hugo and Felicia in the hotel on p. 80?
  • What does the imagery on pp. 80–81 indicate?
  • How does Garcia use juxtaposition on p. 81?
  • How does Garcia use figurative language to describe Felicia’s mental illness? p. 81
  • What is the author’s tone from bottom of pp. 81–82?
  • How does Felicia’s burning of Hugo connect to Celia?

Notes


  • There is a brief mention of the Cuban Missile Crisis in these pages. Doing a short nonfiction reading on the crisis may benefit some students.
  • Felicia kills Hugo. Students should make a connection to the name of mother’s friend who burned husband in the same way!

Next

Describe the relationship between Ivanito and his mother, Felicia. 

Lesson 12
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