Balboa

SHORT STORY BY SABINA MURRAY

WHY THIS TEXT?

Historical fiction – whether a short story, novel, or movie – helps gain insight into historical events. In its depiction of events, characters, and setting, the genre brings history to life. The short story explores the relationship between Balboa and the Indians and the Spaniards.

DETERMINE THEMES(Lines 1 – 14)

A theme is the key message or insight of a work. Since fiction writers don’t explicitly state their themes but instead weave in these big-picture ideas or universal truths, readers must infer theme. To make inferences, analyze clues about characters and events and make connections.

Re-read lines 1 – 14. Make inferences to identify one of Balboa’s character traits. What does this trait suggest about theme?

ANALYZE STRUCTURE(LINES 1 – 14)

Authors use narrative devices to create effects in lot, the sequence of events in a story. When authors choose not to order events sequentially, narrative devices help them disclose details in a way that controls readers’ impressions of characters and events. Foreshadowing hints at events occurring later in a story and may add suspense or drama. In media res means that the story starts in the middle of the action.

At what point in the action does the story begin (lines 1 – 14)? Why did Murray begin the story this way?

DETERMINE THEMES(LINES 17 – 38)

Authors use literary elements like character and plot to develop a theme. To determine theme, readers must look closely at these elements and ask questions. Analyzing a character’s speech, thoughts, and actions is one way to trace the development of a theme.

Cite lines that show Balboa is aware of the discrepancy between who he is and how he wants to be known. Identify terms that describe how Balboa would like others to see him.

A character’s thoughts can reveal traits, or qualities, that the character possesses that may provide readers with clues to the theme.

Reread lines 49-51. Pay attention to what Balboa does when he hears the twig snapping. What does Balboa’s reaction suggest about his character? What might the reader infer about the theme?

ANALYZE STRUCTURE(LINES 76-80)

Authors may write a few sentences as a transition to a flashback or flash forward. The beginning of a flashback is often signaled by a shift in verb tense. A flashback may provide background information that offers readers insight about character, plot, or theme.

Read lines 76-80. Identify the lines that function as a transition to the flashback and the sentence that begins the flashback. Cite the past-tense verbs that signal that this scene is a flashback.

DETERMINE THEMES(LINES 104 – 126)

Analyzing a character and making inferences about the character’s motives can help identify the theme. A character may have both a reason, a logical explanation, and a motive, an underlying purpose for doing something.

Identify Balboa’s reason for naming his dog Leoncio and then to infer his motive. What does this suggest about the theme?

ANALYZE STRUCTURE(LINES 120-126)

A flashback later in a story may refer to an earlier time in the plot than the previous flashback(s).

Cite the lines that explain how Balboa first met Enciso.

DETERMINE THEMES(LINES 158-160)

Authors may develop a theme by providing deeper insight into characters’ thoughts and motives.

Look at lines 158 – 160. How does the image of Balboa and Leonicico contribute to the development of the theme?

ANALYZE STRUCTURE(LINES 152 – 166)

Literary elements, like structure and theme, do not function independently but rather work hand in hand. Authors may use flashbacks to help readers identify conflict, the key problem in a plot, and thus, theme.

Identify the flashback and analyze the conflict between Balboa and the monk.

DETERMINE THEMES(LINES 171-180)

Characters’ perceptions often are the basis for their motives. Perceptions are interpretations or impressions; they influence characters’ thoughts, behaviors, and actions. Both characters’ perceptions and motives offer clues to an author’s message.

Cite textual evidence that reveals what Balboa thinks of the Indians and what his strategy is in dealing with them.

ANALYZE STRUCTURE(LINES 182-183)

Foreshadowing is a writer’s use of hints about what will happen in the story. It creates suspense and prepares the reader for what is to come.

What might be foreshadowed by the monk’s curse in lines 182-183?

ANALYZE STRUCTURE(LINES 210-219)

In a flash forward the action in the story jumps forward in time.

How do the flash forward at the end of the story affect the story’s overall meaning and aesthetic impact.