All Flashcards
What is the meaning of 'Ambiguëdad'?
Ambiguity; uncertainty or inexactness of meaning in language.
What is the meaning of 'Desdoblamiento'?
Splitting; division of a character into two personalities.
What is the meaning of 'Sinestesia'?
Synesthesia; the production of a sense impression relating to one sense or part of the body by stimulation of another sense or part of the body.
What is the meaning of 'Suspenso'?
Suspense; a state or feeling of excited or anxious uncertainty about what may happen.
What is the meaning of 'Atmósfera'?
Atmosphere; the pervading tone or mood of a place, situation, or work of art.
What is the meaning of 'Flashback'?
A scene in a movie, novel, etc., set in a time earlier than the main story.
What is the meaning of 'Sueño'?
Dream; a series of thoughts, images, and sensations occurring in a person's mind during sleep.
What is the meaning of 'Realidad'?
Reality; the state of things as they actually exist, as opposed to an idealistic or notional idea of them.
What is the meaning of 'Sacrificio'?
Sacrifice; an act of slaughtering an animal or person or surrendering a possession as an offering to a deity.
What is the meaning of 'Guerra Florida'?
Flowery War; ritual war practiced in the Aztec civilization.
What is the meaning of 'náhuatl'?
A member of an indigenous people of central Mexico.
What is the meaning of 'pesadilla'?
Nightmare; a frightening or unpleasant dream.
What is the meaning of 'Ambiguëdad'?
Ambiguity: The quality of being open to more than one interpretation; inexactness.
What is the meaning of 'Desdoblamiento'?
Splitting: A literary device where a character is divided into two or more personalities or exists in multiple realities.
What is the meaning of 'Sinestesia'?
Synesthesia: A literary device where one sense is described in terms of another.
What is the meaning of 'Suspenso'?
Suspense: A state or feeling of excited or anxious uncertainty about what may happen.
What is the meaning of 'Flashback'?
A scene in a movie, novel, etc., set in a time earlier than the main story.
What is the meaning of 'Atmósfera'?
Atmosphere: The overall feeling or mood of a story or scene.
What is the meaning of 'Ambiente'?
Environment: The setting or surroundings of an event or story.
What is the meaning of 'Realidad'?
Reality: The state of things as they actually exist, as opposed to an idealistic or notional idea of them.
What is the meaning of 'Ilusión'?
Illusion: A false idea or belief.
What is the meaning of 'Tiempo'?
Time: The indefinite continued progress of existence and events in the past, present, and future regarded as a whole.
What is the meaning of 'Espacio'?
Space: A continuous area or expanse which is free, available, or unoccupied.
Who were the Aztecs?
The Aztecs were a Mesoamerican culture that flourished in central Mexico in the post-classic period from 1300 to 1521. They were known for their complex social structure, religious practices (including human sacrifice), and impressive architectural achievements.
What is the significance of human sacrifice in Aztec culture?
Human sacrifice was a crucial part of Aztec religious practice, believed to nourish the gods and maintain cosmic balance. Victims were often offered to ensure the sun rose each day and to guarantee successful harvests.
What does the motorcycle symbolize in the story?
The motorcycle symbolizes modernity, technology, and a sense of freedom. It represents the protagonist's initial perceived reality.
What does the hospital symbolize in the story?
The hospital symbolizes a place of healing, but also confinement and a false sense of security. It is initially perceived as the 'real' world but is later revealed to be a dream.
What is the significance of the jungle setting?
The jungle represents a primitive, dangerous, and primal world, contrasting sharply with the modern city. It symbolizes the protagonist's true reality and the terror of being hunted.
What is the significance of the sacrificial stone?
The sacrificial stone represents the inevitability of death and the brutal reality of Aztec rituals. It symbolizes the protagonist's impending doom.
What does the 'noche boca arriba' refer to?
It refers to the position of the protagonist lying face up, both in the hospital bed and on the sacrificial stone, symbolizing vulnerability and helplessness.
How does the story reflect the clash between modern and ancient cultures?
The story juxtaposes the modern world of motorcycles and hospitals with the ancient world of Aztec rituals and sacrifices, highlighting the tension and conflict between these two vastly different cultures.
What is the role of dreams in understanding Aztec beliefs?
Dreams were considered a gateway to another reality in many ancient cultures, including the Aztec culture. In this story, dreams blur the lines between realities, suggesting the importance of the dream world.
How does the story challenge the reader's perception of reality?
By revealing the modern world as the dream and the Aztec world as the reality, the story forces the reader to question what is real and what is not, challenging their preconceived notions of time and space.
What is the cultural context of human sacrifice in the Aztec civilization?
Human sacrifice was a religious practice aimed at appeasing the gods and maintaining cosmic balance. It was deeply embedded in their worldview.