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

Lesson 19
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ELA

Unit 4

9th Grade

Lesson 19 of 28

Objective


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

Readings and Materials


  • Book: In the Time of Butterflies by Julia Alvarez  pp. 257 – 276 — Chapter 12: Minerva

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Target Task


Discussion & Writing Prompt

Compare Minerva in prison (according to Mate's diary entries) with Minerva outside of prison. Through her, what does Alvarez reveal about courage? Provide specific evidence from the text and carefully explain your thinking.

Sample Response

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Key Thinking


Close Read Questions

Describe Minerva's adjustment to house arrest. Provide specific evidence from pages 257–263 and carefully explain your thinking.

What impact does the failed uprising have on Minerva?  Provide specific evidence from the text and carefully explain your thinking.

How does the conversation with Delia on page 270 further develop ideas about the role of gender and femininity in the revolution?  Provide specific evidence from the text and carefully explain your thinking.

Vocabulary


Text-based

succumb

v.

(p. 259)

fail to resist pressure, temptation, or some other negative force

genial

adj.

(p. 272)

friendly and cheerful

Homework


Read Chapter 12, pages 276–297.

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • Why does Minerva have to vacate everything from her old house?

  • What happens to Dedé and Minerva on the drive to Monte Cristi?

  • What happens when the crowd gathers in the square in Monte Cristi?

  • What does Trujillo say are his two problems left?

  • Where are the men moved to? Why is Minerva suspicious?

  • How does Minerva feel about the soldier they pick up on their way to visit the men?

  • What had the attendant at the store written on the card he gave to Minerva?

  • How do the sisters reach the conclusion to go back home that night?

Annotation Focus

  • Note moments where Alvarez foreshadows the sisters' tragic deaths.

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Standards


  • RL.9-10.2 — Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in detail its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text.
  • 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).

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 the structure of the final chapter of the novel before the Epilogue.

Lesson 20
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