Politicians, actors, generals, and the Farmers (the aristocrats of the country) attend the party. Matt sees a red-haired man, who María tells him is the powerful Farmer, Mr. MacGregor. The description of the expensive party decorations and the famous and powerful guests shows both El Patrón’s wealth and his political power.
Full Answer
What is the House of the Scorpion about?
Celia. Celia is Matt ’s primary caretaker and a cook in El Patrón ’s house. She comes from the same village in Aztán as El Patrón, and therefore was not turned into an eejit when she… read analysis of Celia. Get the entire The House of the Scorpion LitChart as a printable PDF. "My students can't get enough of your charts and their ...
Who is Tom in the House of the Scorpion litchart?
The House of the Scorpion is book one in the two-book YA science fiction Matteo Alacran series, written by American author Nancy Farmer and published in 2002. The House of the Scorpion is set in the fictional country of Opium, which separates the US from 'Aztlán', formerly Mexico. Matteo, or Matt, Alacrán, is a young clone of a one-hundred-and-forty-year-old drug lord of …
Who is El Patrón in the House of the Scorpion?
The House of the Scorpion (Matteo Alacran #1), Nancy Farmer The story is set in the country of Opium, a narrow strip of land between Mexico, and the United States, which is ruled by Matteo Alacran, or El Patron, an incredibly powerful drug lord who is over 140 years old. Opium consists of several drug-producing Farms, of which the Alacran estate (which produces opium poppies) …
Who is Celia in the House of the Scorpion?
The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer About the Book Matt is a clone of El Patrón, a powerful drug lord of the land of Opium, located between the United States and Mexico. For six years, he has lived in a tiny cottage in the poppy fields with Celia, a kind and deeply religious servant woman who is charged with his care and safety.
Who is the Lost Boy in the Plankton Harvester?
Ton-Ton is the Lost Boy in charge of driving the plankton harvester and cleaning the Keepers’ quarters. At first, he appears to be unintelligent, but later he proves himself to be observant and diligent. He… read analysis of Ton-Ton
Who is the head keeper of the Plankton Factory?
Carlos is the head Keeper in charge of the plankton factory in near San Luis. Like the other Keepers, he is hypocritical, professing the values of equality to the Lost Boys while enjoying exclusive privileges… read analysis of Carlos
Who is Matt in El Patrón?
Matt is the protagonist of the novel. He is the clone of El Patrón, created for the sole purpose of harvesting his organs in order to extend El Patrón’s life. He enjoys learning all… read analysis of Matteo “Matt” Alacrán.
Who is El Patrón's bodyguard?
Tam Lin is the bodyguard of both El Patrón and Matt. He has blue eyes and curly brown hair, is very muscular, and is covered in scars. Matt observes that Tam Lin shows a… read analysis of Tam Lin
Who is Felicia Alacrán?
Felicia Alacrán. Felicia is the wife of Mr. Alacrán and the mother of Benito, Steven, and Tom. She used to be a concert pianist, but after having a nervous breakdown, only plays alone in… read analysis of Felicia Alacrán.
Who is Steven Alacrán?
Steven Alacrán. Steven is the second son of Mr. Alacrán and Felicia, and the great-great grandson of El Patrón. He initially appears kinder than his older brother, Benito, and helps Matt before he realizes… read analysis of Steven Alacrán.
Who is Senator Mendoza?
Senator Mendoza. Senator Mendoza is a powerful U.S. senator, the father of Emilia and María, and the ex-husband of Esperanza. He is a close political ally and family friend of El Patrón. His political… read analysis of Senator Mendoza.
What is the house of the Scorpion about?
It is a story about the struggle to survive as a free individual.
Where does the story of the Eejit take place?
The story takes place in the country of Opium, a strip of land between Mexico (now called Aztlán), and the United States. Opium, which is essentially an opium-producing estate, is ruled by Matteo Alacrán, also known as El Patrón. El Patrón's work-force consists of illegal immigrants whom the Farm Patrol (ex-criminals who are tempted with the offer of protection from the police) enslave when they catch them crossing the border in either direction. These illegal immigrants become "eejits", humans with computer chips implanted in their brains, making them more or less zombies who can perform only simple tasks. These "eejits" can only do things by a command. If an eejit is not told to stop doing its simple task, it will continue until it dies.
About the Book
Matt is a clone of El Patrón, a powerful drug lord of the land of Opium, located between the United States and Mexico. For six years, he has lived in a tiny cottage in the poppy fields with Celia, a kind and deeply religious servant woman who is charged with his care and safety.
Pre-Reading Activity
Ask students to write down their definition of science fiction. Then have them discuss the meaning of cloning. Have the students debate whether a novel about cloning is by their definition considered science fiction.
Discussion Questions
Matteo Alacrán is the clone of El Patrón, the lord of the country called Opium, and lives in isolation until children playing in the poppy fields discover him. Why is he so eager to talk to the children after he is warned against it? Why is Mariá especially attracted to Matt?
Extension Activities
Because of how the novel is structured, it resembles acts and scenes in a play. Divide the class into five groups, and assign each group a section to write as a one-act play. Take dialogue directly from the book, and use a narrator to relate the story between speakers.
About The Book
This modern classic takes on an iron-fisted drug lord, clones bred for their organs, and what it means to be human. Winner of the National Book Award as well as Newbery and Printz Honors.#N#Matteo Alacrán was not born; he was harvested.
Reading Group Guide
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About The Author
Nancy Farmer has written three Newbery Honor books: The Ear, the Eye and the Arm; A Girl Named Disaster; and The House of the Scorpion, which also won the National Book Award and the Printz Honor.