More discussion questions:

1. Who is Casimiro Huarcaya, the albino? What do we learn about him and his disappearance?

2. Who is Medardo Llantac, and how does his position and storyline help the reader have a clearer position about who is in control in the mountains? What are some specific passages that indicate who holds the power in this region?

3. Isolate some of the language spoken by or used in reference of the guerilla militia, Sendero Luminosa. What are some core political values/points, and where do you see this in the text.

4. What is the significance of the “stoning” scene (p. 64, -71) on the rest of the story? Who is involved, who is to blame, and who pays?

5. What is the significance of starting off Chapter 4 with Lituma asking about the progress of the highway? What does this opening scene add to our understanding of the social implications of the deaths and disappearances?

6. In Chapter 4 we have Senora d’Harcourt, another character who claims to love Peru and respect its history. What about her character and what she might represent allows her inevitable death more than just overkill by Llosa? What are some facts about her that add more to political situation going on in the nation?

Short Answer | In-Class Writing:

Take into account what we have discussed up until this point, including today – what are some of the universal truths of life represented within Llosa’s novel? Clarify two to three universal truths of life, and then explain how they are represented in the novel through specific characters, through plot, through situation, symbolism and/or theme?

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Homework:

Read up until at least Chapter 8. You will take Reading Quiz #2 at the beginning of class on Tuesday, 5/25. This quiz will be a few Short Answer questions based on the day's assigned reading (Chapters 5-8 of Death in the Andes). This quiz ask questions to assess basic comprehension of the plot, characters, and theme.