Dreaming in Cuban

Lesson 29
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ELA

Unit 5

11th Grade

Lesson 29 of 31

Objective


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

Analyze how Garcia uses juxtaposition to reveal theme. 

Readings and Materials


  • Book: Dreaming in Cuban by Christina Garcia  pp. 222 – 232 — "Lourdes"

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Target Task


Question 1

What is the effect of the figurative language on p. 225?

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Sample Response

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Question 2

Throughout the chapter, Garcia uses juxtaposition to reveal theme. Consider Lourdes and Pilar’s dancing, Lourdes’s description of the Hotel, Lourdes’s description of the door at the ranch, and Lourdes and Celia’s reactions to the Chinese fortune telling. Choose one of the examples and explain how it reveals theme. 

Key Questions


  • Establish setting and narration.
  • How does Lourdes view Cuba according to pp. 222–223?
  • Who is “that tyrant” on p. 223?
  • Why is Ivanito so excited by the food? What does this reveal about life under Communist rule in Cuba?
  • Why do the Canadian tourists upset Lourdes so much?
  • How does Lourdes feel about Celia?
  • Why is Lourdes surprised by Luz and Milagro?
  • Why are the details about Pilar’s dancing on p. 224 significant?
  • What does Lourdes’s dancing signify? 
  • What does the imagery on p. 225 reveal? 
  • What does the hotel remind Lourdes of?
  • What has happened to the hotel now?
  • How does Garcia use juxtaposition on p. 225 to reveal theme?
  • How was Lourdes different than the other women Rufino’s brothers married? 
  • What does the ranch mean to Lourdes?
  • Why is the change in the doors significant on p. 227?
  • Why can’t Lourdes answer the nurse?
  • How is Ivanito feeling as the new chapter opens?
  • What do we learn about Pilar and Ivanito’s relationship?
  • How are Luz and Milagro taking Pilar and Lourdes’s visit?
  • How does Lourdes feel about Ivanito according to pp. 229–230?
  • Why do you think Lourdes tells Ivanito the stories she does?
  • Why is the color of Pilar’s painting significant?
  • How has Pilar’s visit impacted Celia?
  • What is the difference between Lourdes’s reaction to the fortunes and Celia’s on p. 231? What theme is revealed? 
  • Where do Ivanito and Pilar go on p. 231 and why?

Next

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

Lesson 30
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