Short Fiction: A Study of Genre

Lesson 13
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ELA

Unit 4

11th Grade

Lesson 13 of 15

Objective


Reread the story, analyzing it as a satire critiquing both Catholicism and human nature.

Readings and Materials


  • Short Story: “A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings” by Gabriel Gárcia Márquez (from Leaf Storm and Other Stories)  pp. 105 – 112

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Target Task


Writing Prompt

Choose one of the following and explain how Gárcia Márquez satirizes it in his story “The Very Old Man with Enormous Wings.” Use examples from throughout the text to support your analysis.

  • Catholicism
  • Human behavior

Key Questions


  • Reread the short story, paying attention this time to the author’s use of satire to develop his messages.
  • As you reread, track moments when the author appears to be satirizing Catholicism or the role of religion in people’s lives. How does he do this? What seems to be his message?
  • As you reread, track moments when the author seems to be satirizing human beings and their capacity for both cruelty and their ignorance about the beauty and importance of their own lives.

Notes


Make sure that students have a working definition of satire before beginning today’s lesson. If students have read Animal Farm in eighth grade, recalling it as an example of satire could be useful.

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Lesson 12

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Lesson 14

Lesson Map

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