Read the Prereading information on page 423. This section provides information about Chile and its plight during Augusto Pinochet’s reign. As a class, discuss Ariel Dorfman’s experience in Chile. As you read Dorfman’s story, look for events in the story that are related to events in Chile.
As your teacher reads the first two pages of the story aloud, jot down things that remind you of Chile under the rule of Pinochet. Then read the rest of the story on your own. As you read, continue to jot down things that remind you of the situation in Chile.
If looking for the author’s purpose is not helping you understand the story, work with a partner to write down key ideas on each page. To find the key ideas, stop at each Guided Reading Question, and answer each question before going on. As you finish reading each page, write a summary of the key events.
With your class, discuss how the story parallels an event that the author experienced. How are his values inserted into the story? What was his purpose in writing this story?