ENGLISH II - CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL SUMMER READING GUIDE

IMAGINING ARGENTINA by Lawrence Thornton

In any war there are people who disappear-- General Leopoldo Galtieri 1982

Lawrence Thornton's award-winning work of magical realism is a gripping, powerful
novel full of unusual events, memorable characters, vivid imagery, disturbing scenes, extra-
ordinary storytelling, inspirational hope, and celebration of the humanspirit. Based upon historical events of the 1970's-1980's in Argentina,it carries an urgent message for all time of social justice, politicalevils and bearing witness, the strength of humanity against oppression,and the magic of the irrepressible imagination.
In order to facilitate the understanding of this remarkable book, the reader must
know the following well enough to identify and discuss these aspects of the novel:

CHARACTERS SIGNIFICANT TERMS & PHRASES

Carlos Rueda Carlos Rueda's special gift
Cecelia Rueda crudites on a plate
Teresa Rueda three textbooks and a girl's handknit sweater
Martin Benn green Ford Falcons
Enrico Garcia Casa Rosado
Esme Palomares "the disappeareds"?
Silvio Ayala Plaza de Mayo
General Guzman white scarves
Victor Madrid "there are two Argentinas"?
Amos& Sara Sternberg a broken shoe with a violet planted inside
Sasha singing birds
Gustavo Santos pictures carried on signs
Dagmar Hegelin evening meetings in the garden
Hermione Benveniste black trucks
Theodor Hirsch La Boca
Alice Domon & Leonie Duquet parrots

Solomon Levy "La Opinion"?

Avrom Levy the ice cave
Manuel Salazar The Names
The Souza Family "The White Angel"?
Julio Strasser the Children's Theater doors
"Nothing happened"?
writing on the plaster walls/ an index on the wall
"Nunca mas"?

ABOUT ARGENTINA FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE

Research history, geography, language, While reading, identify the frequent use of
economics, politics, culture, etc, personification, simile, descriptive, imaginative,
On a map, identify: poetic, metaphorical, and symbolic language.
Buenos Aires LIST as many examples as possible, such as:
Rio de la Plata “memory tore the scabs off their wounds,
The Pampas exposing the thin and sickly nature of their
Patagonia hope.” (14)
Mar del Plata
Tierra Del Fuego