One of the governing questions in the novel is, “What is a patria?” After reading the novel, what is the connection (if any) between gender roles and developing a sense of “patria?”

CASE STUDY

For each module, your small group will be assigned a series of questions (usually five) on a specific portion of the readings due that week. To receive full credit for the small group response assignment, you must post at least one response to each question. Your responses should be a minimum of 100 words per question, in the form of complete sentences and a thesis-based interpretive argument, and should make reference to specific passages in the assigned reading to support your comments. You will be graded more than anything else on the specificity of your responses, i.e., how well you support your comments with specific references to the assigned texts. Also relevant to the grading of small group discussion responses is how well you interact with other voices in the group. Please make sure to include the questions either in a group at the beginning of your response posting or before each response (e.g., Question 1 before Response 1). You will receive six small group response grades, worth 10 points each.

1. One of the governing questions in the novel is, “What is a patria?” After reading the novel, what is the connection (if any) between gender roles and developing a sense of “patria?”

2. Do women in the novel have a better grasp of “la patria” than men?

3. Do men see women as part of “la patria,” and if so, where/how do women fit into the men’s vision of “la patria”? Are you surprised to find a woman rising to the status of national poet given these attitudes?

4. What is the significance of Camila’s relationship with Marion? Can you connect it with anything in the previous generation?

5. Salome forsakes writing patriotic poetry in order to be a mother and a teacher. Does the novel seem to justify these choices or criticize them? Does this novel believe in romance? Does duty always triumph over desire?