Self-Discovery Through Love in Latin American Culture

This week we will focus on the Latin American culture’s theme on choice and self-discovery through love within the context of realism and magical realism. The readings that will help students understand the topic are “ Death Constant Beyond Love” by  Gabriel Garcia-Marquez  and “And of Clay Are We Created” by Isabel Allende; located in Norton Anthology of World Literature Volume 2. These stories reveal moments of self-discovery through the choices they make by love. Using elements of realism and magical realism, students will have the opportunity to understand the symbolism and metaphors within the stories that help the characters make their decisions.

Lesson Plan

The student’s objective for the week is to identify if the stories represent realism or magical realism, and what choices the characters make and what aids them in their decisions- that lead to self-discovery. In “Death Constant Beyond Love” the senator faces a quick death. The story focuses on the love he feels for a young woman and how he can not be with her. In “And of Clay Are We Created”, Rolf stays with a young girl, Azucena, as she is trapped in clay. His motive may not have been the best but ultimately they share in an emotional connection and he has a moment of self-discovery because of the death of Azucena.

Once the students have read the stories, have them develop a Venn diagram- one side will be labeled realism, the other side will be labeled magical realism. Have students identify which story represents what category with examples from the text. In the middle circle, have students identify what the moment of self-discovery was and what lead them to that decision.

**HAVE STUDENTS OBTAIN PERMISSION FROM guardian BEFORE WATCHING THIS MOVIE**

This movie will feature certain lifestyle choices that have been glamorized using elements of realism to depict how one woman’s choices lead to her self-discovery.

In addition to the readings, have students watch the Sundance Festival Award winning Latin American Film, “Maria Full of Grace” (2004). The students will need to fill out and turn in the following questions at the end of the week:

1. What conflict does the main character face in the beginning of the movie?

2. After being told of her new job, what choices do you think Maria is facing?

3. How does Maria emotionally handle the choices of her job?

4. What was her moment of self-discovery?