Gods of Jade and Shadow

Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. Many cultures have a collection of myths about a particular religious or cultural tradition. In Gods of Jade and Shadow, author Silvia Moreno-Garcia builds off traditional Mayan mythology. With what myths are you familiar? What cultures do they represent? Have there been modern retellings of this myth, either in books or films?

Teaching Suggestion: It might be helpful for students to enter this discussion by first brainstorming myths with which they are familiar. Most students will likely have been exposed to Greek or Norse mythology but making a list of popular myths might be helpful. When considering the last question regarding modern retellings, it might be beneficial to consider popular movies such as Thor and Wonder Woman.  

• “6 Maya Myths and Legends That Will Show You a World of Ancient Magic”  - This article by Magazine Maya Luxe introduces Mayan mythology. There is a section about Xtabay, a character that appears in Gods of Jade and Shadow.
• Xibalba  - This article provides some background information about Xibalba, a major setting within the story.

2. From 1910-1920, Mexico was embroiled in the Mexican Revolution. The revolution began in response to dissatisfaction with the 30-year dictatorship of Porfirio Díaz, an elitist and oligarch. Based on what you know of other revolutions, why were the people of Mexico likely fighting? Which of these ideas might arise in Gods of Jade and Shadow?

Teaching Suggestion: It might be helpful for students to enter this discussion by first considering a revolution they may be more familiar with—the American Revolution. Consider first asking students what the American revolutionaries were fighting for. Ideally, they will connect to ideas of democracy, equality, and justice. The Mexican Revolution was also based on many of these ideas.

• “The Mexican Revolution Explained in 10 Minutes” - This 10-minute video from Captivating History briefly explains the various factors and key players in the Mexican Revolution.
• “Biography of Francisco Madero, Father of the Mexican Revolution” - This article by ThoughtCo provides background information on Francisco Madero. In the last chapters of Gods of Jade and Shadow, Hun-Kamé asks Casiopea for a human name, and she says she would have chosen “Francisco.” If you choose to have students read this article, it might be helpful for them to track similarities and differences between the historical Francisco and the death god, Hun-Kamé.

Personal Connection Prompt

This prompt can be used for in-class discussion, exploratory free-writing, or reflection homework before reading the novel.

Gods of Jade and Shadow is a modern retelling of a Mayan myth. Because it is a myth, what tropes do you expect to see? Because it is a modern retelling, where do you anticipate it might deviate from the traditional expectations of a myth?

Teaching Suggestion: It might be helpful to review the elements of the Hero’s Journey. Though this is a construct of Greek mythology, many details still apply.

• “Writing 101: What Is the Hero’s Journey? 2 Hero’s Journey Examples in Film” - This article provides both an abbreviated version of the Hero’s Journey and a more robust version with more detailed steps. Parts of this might be helpful for students to review before attempting the Personal Connection Prompt.
• “What Makes a Hero?” This four-and-a-half-minute video briefly summarizes the stages of the Hero’s Journey as detailed by Joseph Campbell.

Differentiation Suggestion: For struggling readers who may not have had much exposure to mythology, it might be helpful to create a graphic organizer with the elements of the Hero’s Journey listed on it with examples of each element from a myth with which they are familiar.