The House of the Scorpion Study Guide / Plot Mountain Sheet
Directions: Using the literary and figurative terminology paper as a guide, answer the following questions on a
separate sheet of notebook paper. Please provide detailed evidence when the questions necessitate. If a
student does not complete this assignment, he/she will not be permitted to participate in the classroom
discussions.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Who is the protagonist in the story? Who or what is the antagonist?
Name another major character in the story.
What is the central conflict faced by the protagonist? How did you determine this answer?
How does the El Patron’s heart attack help to advance the plot?
What skill does Matt master that makes it obvious he is more than just a clone of El Patrón? People,
objects, and actions can all be symbolic. How is the skill a symbol that sets Matt apart from El Patron?
How does this relate to a theme of the story?
6. Name a theme that can be developed through the symbol in question five. Cite an example from the
text (include page numbers) to support the theme.
7. Which specific literary element best reflects the title of the novel House of the Scorpion (refer to your
literary terms)?
8. How does the Scorpion symbolize El Patron? Explain your answer.
9. What is the symbolic meaning attached to water? Create a theme that can be supported by water or
the lack of water. Provide evidence from the text to support your answer (include page number).
10. The story is written for what point of view? Explain how you came to this conclusion.
11. In addition to the central conflict, there are many side conflicts in a story. List two more important side
conflicts. Be sure to tell who the conflict was between and what type of conflict is present
12. Is the protagonist character static or dynamic? Explain your answer.
13. What is the overall mood of the story? Explain your reasoning. Cite example to support your answer.
14. What is significant about Maria’s response to Matt’s demand for her to kiss him at the birthday party?
15. How would the story be different if it was written from third person omniscient point of view?
Quotes
Directions: Read the following quotes and answer the questions that follow; make sure you tie the significance of the
quotes with the literary and figurative terminology provided.
16. What does the previous excerpt do for the reader? Explain
“’Don’t fix that one,’ said Lisa, hastily catching his arm. ‘It’s a Matteo Alacran. They’re always left intact.’ Have
I done you a favor? thought Eduardo as he watched the baby turn its head toward the bustling nurses in their
starched, white uniforms. Will you thank me for it later? ”
Continue to the back page.
17. How is the author’s use of figurative language effective in the following excerpt?
“There were only fifteen now, and Eduardo felt a cold lump in his stomach. If he failed, he would be sent to the
farms, and then what would become of Anna and the children and his father, who was so old?”
18. How does the following excerpt contradict what people say about Matt having no soul since he is a clone.
What does it say about his humanity? “He grabbed Chacho and pulled him back. “We mustn't kill him!"
"Why not?" demanded the boy.” (pg. 319-320)
19. What is the significance tied to this quote? What does the reader understand about how Aztlan is governed?
What does it say about Raul? “’Now I know he is an aristocrat,’ said the border guard.
‘Don’t get us wrong,’ said Raul, noticing Matt’ unhappy expression. ‘We like art and music, but in the new Aztlan
we don’t have time for hobbies. We have to contribute to the general good of the people,’” (p. 262)
20. What type of figurative language is present in the following excerpt? What was the author’s
intended purpose behind this excerpt? “’Stop that.’ Celia gently pried his fingers from the cloth. ‘You can’t
come, mi vida. You must stay hidden in the nest like a good little mouse. There’re hawks out there that eat little
mice.’”
21. What type of figurative language is present in the following excerpt? What was the author’s intended
purpose behind this excerpt? “A horse runs very well on four legs. It’s what he’s made for. But suppose he
grew a fifth leg that only wanted to please itself. The other four legs would be running and running, but the fifth
leg – which we’ll call individualism – would want to walk slowly to enjoy a beautiful meadow, or it might want to
take a nap. Then the poor animal would fall over! That’s why we take that unhappy horse to a vet and have the
fifth leg cut off. It may seem harsh, but we’ve all got to pull together in the new Aztlan, or we’ll all wind up lying
in the dirt.’”
22. The following quote uses what method of characterization to develop El Patron? “El Patrón
laughed. ‘That's the stuff, Mi Vida. Get rid of your enemies when you can. I don't like Tom either, and
dinner will be better without him.’"
23. In terms of character development, explain the significance of the previous dialogue when Tam Lin
speaks to Matt. “’ I brought you here for two reasons,’ said the bodyguard. ‘One because it's nice and two,
because I want to tell you a few things without being spied on.’”(p 80)
24. Explain the significance of the following excerpt: "No one can tell the difference between a clone and a human.
That's because there isn't any difference." (p 245)
25. Complete the plot mountain chart. Plot the most significant elements of the story on the blank plot
mountain sheet. You can bullet the rising action sections with major events that occur. Please refer
to the filled out side of the plot mountain sheet as a guide for what you should include on your blank
plot mountain sheet. A falling action or denouement may or may not be present. If it is not, just
write N/A in the box. You may use extra paper if you run out of room.
*** In addition to some of the literary and figurative analysis based questions provided above, the test will
also contain comprehension based questions.