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Lesson 2

We will discuss the Marxist lens through the concept of a hierarchy, and we will read the first 15 pages of Chapter 7, “María Teresa, 1953 to 1958,” from In the Time of the Butterflies.

Lesson Goals

  • Can I express an accurate understanding of the central ideas of texts?

  • Can I use connections among details, elements, and effects to make logical deductions about an author’s perspective, purpose, and meaning in texts?

Texts

Core

  • Tradebook
    • In the Time of the Butterflies, Julia Alvarez, Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, 2010

Materials

Tools

Reference Guides

Question Sets

Editable Google Docs

Activity 1: Write

We will discuss our prior knowledge of the word hierarchy.

In your Vocabulary Journal, write the following definition of the word hierarchy: a system or organization in which people or groups are ranked above the others, according to status or authority.

  1. What are some examples of hierarchies you are familiar with?

Activity 2: Write

We will be introduced to key features of the marxist lens.

The next literary criticism lens we’ll work with is the Marxist lens.

Listen as your teacher introduces the Marxist lens, and take notes on your Marxist Lens Note-Taking Tool. Write down the following notes:

  • This lens focuses on the historical, economic, and sociological factors that are presented in a text and that have shaped the creation of the text.

  • The lens asks readers to investigate the social realities depicted in a work that create the text.

  • Marxist analysis is also concerned with matters of social class, economic conditions, and what is printed and presented in the literary market place.

  • Consider who has the power and money in this society and who does not. What are the impacts of this dichotomy?

Activity 3: Read – Write – Discuss

We will read and annotate chapter 7 of the novel.

Step 1

Read and annotate pages 118-133 of Chapter 7, "María Teresa, 1953 to 1958," ending with the journal entry for Monday, October 18.

Step 2

Find the sentence "Tio Fello dragged her right off after Christmas because he found her very thin and sad and thought the mountain would invigorate her" (p. 121). Using only the context of the sentence, define the word invigorate in your Vocabulary Journal. You might use the Vocabulary in Context Tool to assist you.

Step 3

Discuss the following questions with a partner:

  1. What does this section of the text say about economic or social power? Who has power and who does not?

Step 4

Share your responses with the class during discussion.