Parable. A parable is a story told to communicate a moral. Usually, the parable is a very simple story that attempts to teach the reader a larger and more complicated truth. “The Rebellion of the Magical Rabbits” at first seems to be simply about a magical land of rabbits, wolves, and monkeys. As you read the story, keep in mind that the plot represents the plight of the people of Chile under the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet, and think about what the moral of the story might be.
Characterization. Characterization is the act of creating or describing a character. Writers use three major techniques to create a character: showing what characters say, do, and think; showing what other characters say about them; and showing what physical features, dress, and personality the characters display. As you read the story, pay attention to which of the three techniques the author uses for characterization.
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• History Connection. This story is set in the country of Chile, a long thin strip of land on the Pacific coast of South America. Chile was controlled for seventeen years (1973– 1990) by the dictator Augusto Pinochet, who used violence and terror to influence the political beliefs and activities of the country’s citizens. Pinochet was known for the frequent and unexpected arrest of any citizen who gave the slightest indication of having unfashionable political ideals. This technique, which Pinochet called “disappearance,” was responsible for a mass terror that swept through the people of Chile. People were afraid to speak about anything that may have them arrested. Pinochet was proud of his efforts and declared his country to be “an island of tranquility” in a world of violence. • The author of this story, Ariel Dorfman, was living in Chile in 1973 and working for President Allende when Augusto Pinochet and his army succeeded in over-throwing the government and taking control of the country. Dorfman was known as an author with political beliefs in opposition to Pinochet’s and therefore he was in danger of being arrested. Dorfman was forced to live in exile, first in Argentina and then in the United States, where he lives today.
Using what you know about the definition of a parable, the life of Ariel Dorfman, and the characters in “The Rebellion of the Magical Rabbits,” create a mind map of links and phrases. Start with the following and add to it.
How would you respond to life in a country where expressing your true thoughts and beliefs might get you arrested?
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