Gods of Jade and Shadow

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. Casiopea’s life at her grandfather’s house and her life after she escapes are very different.

• What elements of her previous life have prepared her for her new adventure? (topic sentence)
• Describe two situations from Casiopea’s life at her grandfather’s house and explain how those two situations prepare her for two situations after her escape.
• Explain how these situations develop Casiopea’s character in your concluding sentence or sentences.

2. Duality is an important concept in Gods of Jade and Shadow.

• What do the dualities symbolize? (topic sentence)
• Identify three examples of characters who represent dualities. Then, explain what the dualities are and what they represent.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, explain how these dualities reflect a larger theme in the novel.

3. At the end of Gods of Jade and Shadow, Casiopea compares herself to Vucub-Kamé.

• Is this an accurate comparison? Why or why not? (topic sentence)
• Identify two situations that support your position. Then, explain how those situations support your position. Incorporate quotes that strengthen your argument.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, explain how this comparison ties to the theme of Finding One’s Place in the World.

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. Casiopea’s name references the Greek myth of Queen Cassiopeia. In the myth, Cassiopeia boasts about her beauty, and Poseidon punishes her for her vanity by chaining her to a chair in the heavens. In what ways are the Casiopea of Gods of Jade and Shadows and Queen Cassiopeia of the myth similar? How are their characters or situations different? How do their stories illuminate the theme of Finding One’s Place in the World? As you compose your essay, incorporate at least three quoted phrases from the novel that strengthen your discussion points. Cite your quotations with page numbers.

2. Gods of Jade and Shadow references fairy tales and myths. Choose a fairy tale or myth referenced in the novel and write a comparative essay that explores the story’s significance in the book. In preparation for writing your essay, consider the following questions: How are the stories of Gods of Jade and Shadows and your chosen fairy tale or myth the same? Why did Moreno-Garcia allude to this tale or myth? What impact does this reference have on the reader? As you compose your essay, incorporate at least three quoted phrases from the novel that strengthen your discussion points. Cite your quotations with page numbers.

3. Moreno-Garcia presents a complex view of gods and religion in Gods of Jade and Shadows. How does Moreno-Garcia view Mayan gods and religion? How does she view Christianity? Does she view deities as human constructs or as existing independently of humans? What does the changing nature of religion mean for human society? How do these complexities speak to the larger theme of The Power of Belief and Self-Determination? As you compose your essay, incorporate at least three pieces of evidence from the novel that strengthen your argument. Cite your quotations with page numbers.