Mexican Gothic

Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

“Motif Analysis”

In this activity, students will select one motif or symbol that recurs throughout the novel and create an analysis that includes:

1) text evidence to establish context for each time the motif or symbol recurs

2) an explanation of why it is occurring at that moment in the novel

3) an analysis of the effect this motif or symbol has on the reader

In Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s Mexican Gothic, she incorporates several symbols and motifs that keep reappearing throughout the story. Select one symbol or motif to create a detailed analysis of its effect on the reader.

A. Select one of the following symbols or motifs:

• Fairytales and Other Stories
• Corrupt Bodies
• Dreams, Visions, and Nightmares
• The Ouroboros
• Opening Your Eyes
• High Place
• The Gloom and the Mushrooms
• Cigarettes
• The Doyle Mines

B. Using the symbol or motif you selected from the list above, create a poster, slide presentation, or other multimedia medium that:

• Details each time the symbol or motif occurs in the novel. Use text evidence to establish context for when the symbol or motif appears.
• Explains why the symbol or motif is appearing at that particular moment.
• Analyze the effect this symbol or motif has on the reader.
• Present your motif analysis to the class.

Teaching Suggestion: Before engaging in this activity, it might be helpful to assign a symbol or motif to a small group of students and have them brainstorm together about where that symbol or motif shows up in the novel.

Differentiation Suggestion: For students who struggle with complex, multistep assignments, you might consider chunking the sections of instructions or supplying suggested interim completion times or dates. Additionally, supply a graphic organizer divided into columns labeled Motif, Textual Evidence, Symbolic Significance, and Effect on the Reader. In this way, students will be able to work together to track motifs over the course of the novel and have textual evidence available to complete their presentation.