Questions and Answers
What is an eejit?
A person or animal whose brain has been replaced by a chip.
Why is Matt shunned by the Alacran family?
Matt is a clone, which is considered unnatural.
What does Tam Lin compare El Patron to?
A dragon guarding his treasure.
Why does Maria think Matt killed Furball?
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Where is the country Opium located?
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What is the difference between El Patron and El Viejo?
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What does Tam Lin leave at the oasis for Matt?
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What does Matt see in the hospital?
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What takes place in the first chapter of the book?
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Why does Matt get confined to a prison-like concrete room full of sawdust?
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What country now occupies the land that was once called Mexico?
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In what ways is Matt different from every other clone?
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What does Matt believe the future holds?
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What does Matt plan to do with the eejits?
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How does El Patron react to Matt's mention of St. Francis?
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Study Notes
Key Characters and Terms
- Eejit: A human or animal with a brain chip, rendering them devoid of free will.
- Matt: A unique clone viewed as unnatural by the Alacrán family, leading to his social isolation.
- El Patrón: The powerful drug lord who operates Opium; compared by Tam Lin to a dragon due to his possessiveness.
- El Viejo: The predecessor of El Patrón, who accepted natural mortality contrasted with El Patrón's desire for immortality.
Important Plot Points
- Maria's Accusation: Maria falsely believes Matt is responsible for Furball’s death due to evidence linking him to a laudanum bottle.
- Location of Opium: A fictional region situated between the United States and former Mexico, central to the story’s events.
Character Relationships
- Tam Lin: Matt's protector, who leaves supplies for him, symbolizing care amid adversity.
- Matt's Isolation: Matt spends time in a concrete room, treated like an animal because of his clone status.
Setting and Context
- Hospital Discoveries: Matt witnesses different aspects of cloning, including seeing McGregor's clone, shedding light on the nature of clones.
- Shift in Geography: The former Mexico is now called Aztlán, indicating political and social changes in the world around Matt.
Matt's Unique Attributes
- Cognitive Ability: Unlike other clones, Matt retains his human brain, allowing him to think and grow normally, which sets him apart from his kind.
- Future Aspirations: Matt hopes to replace El Patrón and intends to save the eejits by removing their brain implants, reflecting his desire for change.
Themes and Motivations
- El Patrón's Reaction: His anger at the mention of St. Francis reveals his malevolent nature, highlighting the moral complexities in the story.
- Self-Perception: Matt grapples with his identity and societal status, pondering his future and role in the world shaped by El Patrón's influence.
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Description
Explore the key characters and important themes in 'The House of the Scorpion'. This quiz focuses on pivotal figures like Matt, El Patrón, and their relationships, as well as significant plot points that shape the narrative. Test your understanding of the social dynamics and moral questions presented in this thought-provoking novel.
