60 pages • 2 hours read
Sandra BenitezThe Weight of All Things
Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2000A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
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What is it like to read about war from the perspective of a nine-year-old? How does his experience affect the way you think about this civil war and war in general?
How does destiny play a role in this novel? Is Nicolás fated to his experiences or are they a result of decisions he makes? How do miracles play a role in his fate?
Nicolás and Tata are caught in the middle of the Army and the guerrilleros. Which side poses a greater threat to their lives? Is it possible to live through this war without choosing a side?
Does the novel sympathize more with the Left or the Right? What are some of the criticisms the novel offers of each side?
How and why does Benitez use magical realism in this novel? Show examples.
Why do you think Benitez chose the Virgin Mary as the saint that Nicolás relies on for hope? Without her, how would Nicolás have coped? What are some ways that other characters deal with living through the same hardships?
Where does the voice of La Virgen end and the voice of Nicolás’s inner wisdom begin? Is there a point in the novel when he begins to take ownership over his actions rather than follow the guidance of La Virgen?
Why do you think Nicolás grows up to become a doctor? What does this suggest about how the war affected him?
Can you compare this novel to the Hero’s Journey? What obstacles does Nicolás face and what does he learn along the way?
What role does hope play in the novel? How do people find hope amidst such chaos? Are there any characters that particularly embody optimism or hope?
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By Sandra Benitez
