Lesson 15 | Dreaming in Cuban | 11th Grade English

Objective

Explain how the Cuban revolution impacts the relationship of Felicia and Celia.

Readings and Materials

Book: Dreaming in Cuban by Christina Garcia pp. 105 – 111 — "The Meaning of Shells (1974)"
Article: “Fidel Castro, Cuban Revolutionary Who Defied U.S., Dies at 90” by Anthony de Palma

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Target Task

Tasks that represents the peak thinking of the lesson - mastery will indicate whether or not objective was achieved

Question 1

As presented in the first two pages, being a guerilla soldier is best described as:

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Question 2

On pp. 106–107, the narrator indicates that Felicia and some of the other guerilla soldiers are:

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Question 3

How has the Cuban revolution impacted the relationship between Celia and Felicia? Use specific details from this chapter.

Key Questions

Questions about the text that will help guide the students understanding

How does the author establish setting and narrator on p. 105?
How does the opening paragraph set the mood?
Why is Felicia fighting with the guerillas?
What happened to Ivanito and why on p. 107?
How does Felicia feel about the current political climate in Cuba? How does this impact her relationship with Celia?
Why are some of the others there?
Why does Felicia volunteer to do the night watch on p. 109?
Why is poetry significant in Felicia’s language?
What does Celia and Felicia think of El Lider? Why?

Obituary

How did an article written by a Mr. Matthews in 1956 portray Castro?
What happened in 1957 that caused Americans’ opinions of Castro to change?
Why is this section of the obituary called “Man of the Mountains”?
What is the relationship between this article and the novel?

Notes

Suggestions for teachers to help them teach this lesson

Be sure students understand what is meant by “guerilla warfare.”
Castro is prominent in this chapter. Use excerpts of his New York Times obituary, especially the section “Man of the Mountains,” which discusses guerilla warfare. If desired, the obituary in its entirety could be read on the previous day of class.

Lesson 14

Lesson 16

Lesson Map

“Cold War Rivals: Cuba and the United States”

Explain the relationship between Cuba and the United States and the contributing factors to the rivalry between the two countries.

Become familiar with key terms and phrases from the unit.

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 3 – 9 — "Ordinary Seductions: Ocean Blue"

Explain Celia’s role in the family and her opinion of the United States.

Describe the importance of the setting.

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 9 – 15 — "Felicia del Pino"

Continue to develop the del Pina family tree.

Characterize Felicia based on her reaction to her father’s death.

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 17 – 25 — "Going South"

Characterize Lourdes based on today’s reading.

Explain how the author reveals theme through the descriptions of both the United States and Cuba in the opening chapters.

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 25 – 34 — "Pilar Puente"
“The Rise and Fall of Karl Marx”

Explain how Garcia uses tone to characterize Pilar.

Contrast views on Communism.

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 35 – 43 — "The House on Palmas Street"

Analyze and explain the symbolism of Celia’s pearl drop earrings.

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 44 – 48

Explain the symbolism of the sugar cane.

Describe Hugo and Felicia’s relationship.

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 49 – 55 — "Celia's Letters: 1935-1940"

Define “epistolary” and explain the author’s purpose for including Celia’s letters.

Identify tone in Celia’s letters.

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 57 – 64 — "A Grove of Lemons"

Describe the relationship between Lourdes and Pilar.

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 64 – 74 — "Lourdes"

Analyze and explain how Lourdes’s tragic past may have shaped her current views on Cuba, the United States, and immigration.

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 75 – 83 — "The Fire Between Them"

Explain the events that have shaped Felicia’s character thus far.

Analyze and explain how the author uses tone to create suspense.

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 83 – 89 — "Ivanito Villaverde"

Describe the relationship between Ivanito and his mother, Felicia.

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 89 – 95 — "Celia"

Discuss the impact men have had on the del Pino women so far in this novel.

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 97 – 101 — "Celia's Letters: 1942-1949"

Explain how Garcia reveals Celia’s past through her letters.

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 105 – 111 — "The Meaning of Shells (1974)"
“Fidel Castro, Cuban Revolutionary Who Defied U.S., Dies at 90”

Explain how the Cuban revolution impacts the relationship of Felicia and Celia.

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 111 – 119 — "1975"

Trace the development of Celia’s internal conflict and how she attempts to solve it.

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 119 – 126 — "Lus Villaverde"

Discuss and debate the fate of Hugo Villaverde.

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 127 – 133 — "Enough Attitude (1975)"

Contrast how Garcia describes New York and Cuba and explain what theme is revealed.

Explain the symbolism of Pilar’s gift to Lourdes.

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 134 – 144 — "Pilar (1976)"

Analyze the relationship between Lourdes and Pilar.

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 145 – 155 — "Baskets of Water, Ivanito"

Explain how Garcia uses symbolism to convey theme.

Identify and interpret irony in Felicia’s story.

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 155 – 160 — "1978"

Analyze and explain the relationship between Celia and Javier.

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 161 – 165 — "Celia's Letters: 1950-1955"

Analyze the impact of the author’s choice in chronology.

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 167 – 175 — "A Matrix of Light"

Explain how the author develops Lourdes’s character.

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 175 – 181 — "Pilar (1978)"

Analyze and explain how Garcia further develops Pilar’s character.

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 183 – 191 — "God's Will, Herminia Delgado"

Explain the factors that led to Felicia’s death.

Analyze the symbolism of the seashells.

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 193 – 203 — "Daughters of Chango (1979)"

Analyze and interpret Garcia’s use of flashback.

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 205 – 209 — "Celia's Letters"

Explain how Garcia further develops character through Celia’s letters and Jorge’s visits.

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 213 – 222 — "The Languages Lost: Six Days in April"

Analyze Garcia’s use of juxtaposition.

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 222 – 232 — "Lourdes"

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

Analyze how Garcia uses juxtaposition to reveal theme.

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 232 – 244 — "Castro Announces Mariel Boatlift"

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

Assessment

Dreaming in Cuban

Objective

Readings and Materials

Target Task

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

Key Questions

Notes

Lesson Map

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