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

Lesson 7
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ELA

Unit 4

9th Grade

Lesson 7 of 28

Objective


Analyze how Alvarez establishes a unique voice for each of the Mirabal sisters and weaves together the chapters into a coherent narrative in Part I.

Readings and Materials


  • Book: In the Time of Butterflies by Julia Alvarez  pp. 3 – 59 — Part 1

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Target Task


Writing Prompt

Choose one of the Mirabal sisters. Explain how Alvarez makes that sister's voice distinct and one way that Alvarez connects her chapter to another. Provide specific evidence from the text and carefully explain your thinking.

Sample Response

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Key Thinking


Close Read Questions

How does Alvarez create a distinct voice for each sister? Provide specific details from the text and carefully explain your thinking.

What details does Alvarez use to tie the chapters together? Provide specific details from the text and carefully explain your thinking.

Vocabulary


Literary Terms

voice

the manner of expression of the speaker in a literary work (particularly the narrator) or of a character in the work that can give the reader a sense of that person's personality

Homework


Read Chapter 5.

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • Fela was one of the family servants. What does she seemingly have the power to do?

  • Who is Minou?

  • Who is Jaimito, and what is his relationship with Dedé?

  • Who is Virgilio Morales? What does Dedé learn about his political activities?

  • How does Lío's presence affect Dedé's thoughts and feelings?

  • What happens the night Lío goes into hiding?

  • What does Dedé do with the letter Lío gave her to give to Minerva? Why do you think she does this?

Annotation Focus

  • Note moments that show the relationship dynamic between Dedé and Minerva.

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Standards


  • 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 of storytelling and uses literary foils to characterize Dedé and Jaimito.

Lesson 8
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Lesson Map

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