¡Viva Las Mariposas! Voice and Agency in In the Time of the Butterflies

Lesson 18
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ELA

Unit 4

9th Grade

Lesson 18 of 28

Objective


Analyze how narrative point of view and structure contribute to the reader's understanding of how Mate's imprisonment affects her.

Readings and Materials


  • Book: In the Time of Butterflies by Julia Alvarez  pp. 227 – 256 — Chapter 11: María Teresa

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Target Task


Discussion & Writing Prompt

Why do you think Alvarez chose Mate to narrate the sisters' time in prison? Justify your position with at least two reasons and support those with specific evidence from the text.

Sample Response

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Key Thinking


Close Read Questions

How does the tone of Mate's third (and final) journal change over the course of her time in prison?  Provide specific evidence from the text and carefully explain your thinking. 

Consider Magdalena's story on pages 248–250. How does the story and its impact on Mate further develop Alvarez's theme of the power of storytelling? Provide specific evidence from the text and carefully explain your thinking.

On page 250, Minerva says, "And this isn't personal, Mate, she adds. This is principle." What does this mean, and what do Mate's actions with the OAS committee reveal about the difference between Mate and Minerva's views on this distinction? Provide specific evidence from the text and carefully explain your thinking.

What is the effect of Alvarez withholding the account of what happened to Mate in La 40 until the end of the chapter? How does the format of this section enhance its significance? Provide specific evidence from the text and carefully explain your thinking.

Homework


Read Chapter 12, pages 257–276.

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • How does Minerva change after she got out of jail?

  • What two outings a week are the girls allowed while under house arrest?

  • How do Elsa and Roberto get their information? What news does Elsa deliver about the OAS? 

  • How does Dedé feel about her sisters visiting the men in prison?

  • What information does Dr. Viñas give to Minerva about the revolution?

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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
SL.9-10.1
SL.9-10.6
W.9-10.9

Next

Analyze how Alvarez develops her central ideas about courage with Minerva's experiences outside of prison.

Lesson 19
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