A Place Where the Sea Remembers

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.

Presentation: “Socioeconomic Issues in 1980s Mexico”

In this activity, students will work in groups to research and present a specific socioeconomic issue that Benitez explores in her novel.

Throughout the novel, Benitez explores the trials and tribulations caused by socioeconomic issues through the stories of the people living in Santiago, Mexico. Imagine that you will use a socioeconomic lens to analyze Benitez’s work. Working in small groups, select one of the issues mentioned within the novel and make a presentation about this socioeconomic subject regarding Mexico in the late 20th century. Consider the way in which the themes of Tradition Versus Modernity, Life and Death, and Preserving the Memories of Others are related to these socioeconomic issues. Share your findings with the class.

Teaching Suggestion: This activity invites students to explore the socioeconomic difficulties that Benitez’s novel touches upon within the context of a group work assignment. The possible issues for students to select include child marriage, access to abortion, unemployment, racism against Indigenous groups, poverty, access to education, illiteracy, and sexual assault. Students should include as many relevant visuals, statistics, and media components as possible, ensuring that all members of the group participate in the group presentation.

Differentiation Suggestion: For a complementary writing component, the following question may be added to the above activity prompt: Write a group research paper on your presentation topic. Be sure to follow and submit each step of the research paper process (i.e., initial research, annotated bibliography, thesis statement, outline, drafts, peer review process, final submission, abstract).

Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, or oral responses.

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the bulleted outlines below. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. Consider the function of Remedios throughout the novel.

• How does Remedios symbolize the tension between Santiago’s past and its present? (topic sentence)
• Identify 2-3 instances from the story and analyze Remedios’s function in relation to the Santiago community.
• Overall, how does Remedios act as a bridge between Tradition Versus Modernity?

2. Throughout the novel, Benitez includes descriptions and references to water. How does water function as a symbol in the novel? (topic sentence)

• Identify 2-3 examples from the text to support your answer.
• How does water as a symbol relate to the cyclical nature of Life and Death?

3. Benitez frequently brings back characters from previous chapters as secondary actors in other stories.

• What is the benefit and purpose of incorporating these characters repeatedly in the story, as opposed to making each chapter stand alone? (topic sentence)
• Provide 1 example of a character who appears multiple times within the story, and analyze this person’s function in relation to the other members of the community.
• How does the repetition of characters relate to the theme of Preserving the Memories of Others?

Full Essay Assignments

Student Prompt: Write a structured and well-developed essay. Include a thesis statement, at least three main points supported by text details, and a conclusion.

1. The genre of magical realism blurs the line between fantasy and reality. What do the fantastical elements of A Place Where the Sea Remembers add to the narrative? How would the novel be different without these magical elements, particularly in relation to the discussion of socioeconomic issues in Mexico?

2. The residents of Santiago live in a patriarchal society. How is this evident in the gendered roles enacted by the different characters? How is it demonstrated in their relationships with each other? Do any of them overcome or subvert these social expectations? If so, how?

Multiple Choice and Long Answer Questions create ideal opportunities for whole-text review, exams, or summative assessments.

Multiple Choice

1. Based on the conversation between Chayo and Marta regarding el doctor, which of the following conclusions can be drawn?

A) The sisters are unanimous in their decision to ask the doctor to marry Marta.

B) Marta is advocating for Chayo to get an abortion.

C) Chayo is concerned about Marta’s baby receiving the best healthcare.

D) The sisters disagree on whether or not to keep the baby.

2. Which of the following phrases best describes the format of the novel?

A) A chronological timeline of stories

B) An alternating collection of vignettes

C) An in-depth analysis of Mexican culture

D) An account of the trials of wealthy people in Santiago

3. Which of the following sentiments is mutual between Fulgencio and the “gringo”?

A) Fear

B) Lust

C) Shame

D) Pride

4. Which of the following reasons best represents why Marta visits el brujo?

A) Because she fears for her sister’s safety

B) Because she wants to convince Candelario to change his mind

C) Because she is furious with her sister for going back on her word

D) Because she is desperate to get back together with Roberto

5. On which of the following concepts does Rafael clash with his mother?

A) The treatment of Indigenous peoples

B) The importance of education for women

C) The necessity of marriage for social mobility

D) The purpose of gender norms in contemporary society

6. To which of the following sentiments does the structure of the novel allude?

A) The joy of childhood

B) The reality of life in Colombia

C) The fear of dying alone

D) The interrelatedness of humanity

7. Which of the following words best describes how César initially feels about the relationship with his son in Chapter 8?

A) Rejuvenated

B) Resigned

C) Reinvigorated

D) Reticent

8. Which of the following reasons best describes why Ernesta believes that her childless state is “unsurprising”?

A) Because she was raped

B) Because she is “barren”

C) Because she is not religious

D) Because she is cursed

9. Which of the following sentences best describes the setting of the novel?

A) It takes place over the course of six months.

B) It takes place in the suburbs of Guadalajara.

C) It takes place within the community of Santiago.

D) It takes place at the beginning of the 21st century.

10. Which of the following areas do many of the characters rely upon as their primary source of income?

A) The hospital

B) The sea

C) The hotels

D) The river

11. Which of the following sentences best summarizes the purpose of Chapter 13?

A) It resolves the story of el brujo.

B) It ties together the various narratives.

C) It connects Rafael’s journey with Marta.

D) It establishes the importance of Remedios.

12. Which of the following words best describes how Chayo reacts to Don Justo’s fortune?

A) With curiosity

B) With shame

C) With fear

D) With skepticism

13. Which of the following words best describes the style of Esperanza’s wedding?

A) Classic

B) Traditional

C) Contemporary

D) Commonplace

14. Which of the following phrases best describes the ending of the novel?

A) The importance of resilience

B) The inevitability of death

C) The desire to conquer evil

D) The necessity of tradition

15. Which of the following reasons best summarizes the link between the first and last chapter?

A) They explain the importance of Yoyo.

B) They are separate from the rest of the novel.

C) They describe the same moment 10 years apart.

D) They bring the novel full circle.

Long Answer

Compose a response of 2-3 sentences, incorporating text details to support your response.

1. How is the novel structured? What do each of the chapters begin with?

2. What is the meaning of the novel’s title? Identify the literary term used in the phrase.