Lesson 26 | Dreaming in Cuban | 11th Grade English

Objective

Analyze and interpret Garcia’s use of flashback.

Readings and Materials

Book: Dreaming in Cuban by Christina Garcia pp. 193 – 203 — "Daughters of Chango (1979)"

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Target Task

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

How does the information divulged by Jorge impact Lourdes? Explain using evidence from the text.

What is Garcia’s purpose for the flashback on p. 201? Explain.

Key Questions

Questions about the text that will help guide the students understanding

Establish setting and narration.
What is happening to the relationship between Lourdes and Jorge on pp. 193–194?
What is interfering in their relationship?
How does Garcia describe the blue of the sky on p. 195? Why is this significant?
What does Jorge divulge to Lourdes on pp. 195–196?
What does Lourdes mainly think of when she thinks of Cuba?
How does the narration shift on p. 197?
What does Pilar buy? What does it represent?
What do the changes discussed by Pilar and the cashier represent on pp. 198–199?
What are Pilar’s views on religion? Can you connect this to Felicia?
Why do you think Pilar wanders into the santeria shop and takes the man’s advice?
What happens in Pilar’s flashback on p. 201? How does this set mood?
How is Pilar affected by the events on pp. 202–203

Notes

Suggestions for teachers to help them teach this lesson

Changó in the title refers to an Orisha (Yoruba language), who was the lord of fire, lightning, and thunder, but also patron of music. His colors are red and white, hence the necklace.
Pilar is sexually assaulted on pp. 202–203. Prep students for mature and disturbing content.

Lesson 25

Lesson 27

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

Key Questions

Notes

Lesson Map

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