Podcast
Questions and Answers
Why was Matt pulled out of bed in the middle of the night and then rushed to the hospital with Celia?
Why was Matt pulled out of bed in the middle of the night and then rushed to the hospital with Celia?
El Patrón had suffered a heart attack.
How did Matt's story of St. Francis, who gave stuff away to the poor, affect El Patrón?
How did Matt's story of St. Francis, who gave stuff away to the poor, affect El Patrón?
El Patrón became angry at the thought of giving his things away and for a few days he seemed to be recovering.
How had Celia recently changed her garden?
How had Celia recently changed her garden?
Instead of growing vegetables, Celia planted many new, creepy plants.
Whose wedding was set to take place at the Alacrán mansion soon?
Whose wedding was set to take place at the Alacrán mansion soon?
When Matt returned to the secret oasis, what information did he read and learn about María's mother, Esperanza Mendoza?
When Matt returned to the secret oasis, what information did he read and learn about María's mother, Esperanza Mendoza?
How old was Matt at the end of chapter 19?
How old was Matt at the end of chapter 19?
What happened one day as Matt played his guitar and sang a Spanish ballad for El Patrón?
What happened one day as Matt played his guitar and sang a Spanish ballad for El Patrón?
Lying in bed after his party, what horrible reality did Matt begin to understand?
Lying in bed after his party, what horrible reality did Matt begin to understand?
As Matt sat at El Patrón's side, what did he notice about the old man's mind?
As Matt sat at El Patrón's side, what did he notice about the old man's mind?
How did the long swim at the oasis seem to affect Matt that night?
How did the long swim at the oasis seem to affect Matt that night?
What happens to Matt's heart? To what does Tam Lin attribute this?
What happens to Matt's heart? To what does Tam Lin attribute this?
What does Tam Lin tell Matt about his origin?
What does Tam Lin tell Matt about his origin?
Why does Matt want to run away to Aztlán? What causes him to reconsider?
Why does Matt want to run away to Aztlán? What causes him to reconsider?
How do Tam Lin and Celia react to Matt's recurrent illness?
How do Tam Lin and Celia react to Matt's recurrent illness?
What does Matt believe El Patrón's declining health means? How does Matt react?
What does Matt believe El Patrón's declining health means? How does Matt react?
How many miles did Matt travel before reaching the Aztlán border?
How many miles did Matt travel before reaching the Aztlán border?
Why was Matt told to get to the border the very next day?
Why was Matt told to get to the border the very next day?
After telling Matt his service was no longer needed, what order did Mr. Alacrán give Tam Lin?
After telling Matt his service was no longer needed, what order did Mr. Alacrán give Tam Lin?
What three people did Matt weep for on the high ridge of the Ajo Mountains?
What three people did Matt weep for on the high ridge of the Ajo Mountains?
Where did Tam Lin announce he'd dispose of Matt after being dismissed by Mr. Alacrán?
Where did Tam Lin announce he'd dispose of Matt after being dismissed by Mr. Alacrán?
Why didn't Tam Lin help Celia escape with Matt?
Why didn't Tam Lin help Celia escape with Matt?
How was Matt able to escape the Farm Patroller who grabbed him by his backpack?
How was Matt able to escape the Farm Patroller who grabbed him by his backpack?
In what way did Tam Lin note that Matt was different than the seven clones before him?
In what way did Tam Lin note that Matt was different than the seven clones before him?
How did Matt learn the route to Aztlán's border?
How did Matt learn the route to Aztlán's border?
After working his way through a canyon with dense bushes, what new obstacle did Matt encounter?
After working his way through a canyon with dense bushes, what new obstacle did Matt encounter?
What two substances did Celia secretly feed Matt so that his heart would not be a healthy transplant for El Patrón?
What two substances did Celia secretly feed Matt so that his heart would not be a healthy transplant for El Patrón?
What story was Matt to tell the Aztlános when he reached their border?
What story was Matt to tell the Aztlános when he reached their border?
According to Tam Lin, why was Matt going to find Aztlán a confusing place?
According to Tam Lin, why was Matt going to find Aztlán a confusing place?
Why did Matt recognize the hospital room he was taken to?
Why did Matt recognize the hospital room he was taken to?
How did Tam Lin protect Celia from becoming an eejit?
How did Tam Lin protect Celia from becoming an eejit?
What situation gave Matt an opportunity to escape past the Farm Patrol and reach the border safely?
What situation gave Matt an opportunity to escape past the Farm Patrol and reach the border safely?
After testing Matt's blood and urine, what did the doctor report?
After testing Matt's blood and urine, what did the doctor report?
Why was Matt's destination going to be San Luis?
Why was Matt's destination going to be San Luis?
Why does El Patrón believe he has a right to live, even if it means the death of his clones?
Why does El Patrón believe he has a right to live, even if it means the death of his clones?
What does Celia reveal about using Matt for a transplant? What effect does this have on El Patrón and on Matt?
What does Celia reveal about using Matt for a transplant? What effect does this have on El Patrón and on Matt?
What does Mr. Alacrán order concerning Matt? What does Tam Lin then do to Matt?
What does Mr. Alacrán order concerning Matt? What does Tam Lin then do to Matt?
Where does Tam Lin tell the members of El Patrón's army he is taking Matt? Where does he actually take him?
Where does Tam Lin tell the members of El Patrón's army he is taking Matt? Where does he actually take him?
What does Tam Lin tell Matt about his own past and about Celia's influence in his life?
What does Tam Lin tell Matt about his own past and about Celia's influence in his life?
Where does Tam Lin tell Matt to go? What is his reasoning for not going with him?
Where does Tam Lin tell Matt to go? What is his reasoning for not going with him?
What does Matt realize about El Patrón's clones?
What does Matt realize about El Patrón's clones?
Why does Matt think he is different from the others?
Why does Matt think he is different from the others?
Why did the wasteland guards, Ralf and Hugh, almost arrest Matt?
Why did the wasteland guards, Ralf and Hugh, almost arrest Matt?
Who defended Matt's presence at El Viejo's funeral?
Who defended Matt's presence at El Viejo's funeral?
How was El Viejo related to El Patrón?
How was El Viejo related to El Patrón?
What crime had Tam Lin committed?
What crime had Tam Lin committed?
Where did Matt take María as the two fled El Viejo's funeral?
Where did Matt take María as the two fled El Viejo's funeral?
Where did Senator Mendoza send María and Emilia to live, soon after Furball was killed?
Where did Senator Mendoza send María and Emilia to live, soon after Furball was killed?
Who wrote A History of Opium, one of the books Tam Lin had left Matt in the metal chest?
Who wrote A History of Opium, one of the books Tam Lin had left Matt in the metal chest?
What was the main crop of Opium and where was it marketed?
What was the main crop of Opium and where was it marketed?
What happened to Matt's Safe Horse when he set out to investigate the wastelands in the north?
What happened to Matt's Safe Horse when he set out to investigate the wastelands in the north?
As Matt set out for a horse ride, what was the first thing he searched for?
As Matt set out for a horse ride, what was the first thing he searched for?
Why did El Patrón acquire and use such men as Tam Lin, Ralf, Hugh, and Wee Willie, to use as Farm Patrol workers?
Why did El Patrón acquire and use such men as Tam Lin, Ralf, Hugh, and Wee Willie, to use as Farm Patrol workers?
Who did Matt recognize as the eejit who prepared his request for a Safe Horse to ride?
Who did Matt recognize as the eejit who prepared his request for a Safe Horse to ride?
What was the priest's reaction when Matt filed past El Viejo to pay his last respects?
What was the priest's reaction when Matt filed past El Viejo to pay his last respects?
How did Matt manage to get back to the Big House from the waste treatment plant?
How did Matt manage to get back to the Big House from the waste treatment plant?
List two couples Matt noticed holding hands at El Viejo's funeral.
List two couples Matt noticed holding hands at El Viejo's funeral.
Who passed away while Matt was enjoying a brief horse ride to the oasis?
Who passed away while Matt was enjoying a brief horse ride to the oasis?
What does Matt discover at the oasis? What do you think Tam Lin's note implies?
What does Matt discover at the oasis? What do you think Tam Lin's note implies?
Who dies while Matt is in the oasis? How do Mr. Alacrán and El Patrón react to this death?
Who dies while Matt is in the oasis? How do Mr. Alacrán and El Patrón react to this death?
Who killed Furball? How does María react to this news?
Who killed Furball? How does María react to this news?
What does Matt believe his future holds? What does he plan to do with the eejits?
What does Matt believe his future holds? What does he plan to do with the eejits?
What does Matt learn about the eejit pens? What happens to Matt when he goes there?
What does Matt learn about the eejit pens? What happens to Matt when he goes there?
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Study Notes
Matt's Journey and Realizations
- Matt was rushed to the hospital after El Patrón suffered a heart attack, highlighting the old man's failing health.
- Matt's story about St. Francis angered El Patrón, reflecting his possessive nature and fear of losing his wealth.
- Celia altered her garden from vegetables to eerie plants, signaling a shift in her protective role over Matt.
Significant Characters and Events
- Steven and Emilia's wedding looms at the Alacrán mansion, showcasing family dynamics within the story.
- Matt discovers that María's mother, Esperanza, is alive and has made notable achievements, including winning a Nobel Peace Prize.
Matt's Internal Struggles
- At 14, Matt confronts the reality of his existence as a clone destined for organ harvesting, leading to fear and confusion.
- During a moment of vulnerability, Matt realizes El Patrón may soon attempt to use him for transplants, deepening his sense of entrapment.
Illness and Escape
- After singing for El Patrón, Matt becomes ill, which Tam Lin attributes to the toxic environment he was raised in.
- Celia secretly administers foxglove and arsenic to Matt in a desperate attempt to render his organs unsuitable for El Patrón.
- Facing increasingly precarious circumstances, Matt contemplates running away to Aztlán but hesitates due to the possibility of losing Celia and Tam Lin.
Encounters with Authority
- Mr. Alacrán's order for Tam Lin to have Matt killed underscores the perilous position Matt occupies within the Alacrán household.
- The Farm Patrol's surveillance creates tension as Matt tries to reach the Aztlán border, where he hopes to find freedom.
Themes of Identity and Time
- Tam Lin explains to Matt that he differs from his predecessors due to his musical talent, emphasizing individuality amidst cloning.
- Amidst the backdrop of El Patrón's complex legacy, the narrative explores themes of moral responsibility and the consequences of power.
Matt's Network and Connections
- Tam Lin’s protective actions demonstrate loyalty and a desire to save Matt from El Patrón's machinations.
- The relationship between Matt and Celia reflects a maternal bond, with Celia’s health concerns mirroring Matt's own struggles.
Critical Moments and Implications
- El Viejo’s death signifies a turning point in power dynamics, as it elicits different responses from El Patrón and Mr. Alacrán.
- Matt observes the devastation of El Viejo's funeral, feeling estranged from his own humanity as the priest denounces him.
Future Aspirations and Resistance
- Despite his struggles, Matt resolves to liberate the eejits, envisioning a future where he leads Opium rather than being subjugated by it.
- The discovery of survival supplies and information at the oasis indicates Tam Lin's continuing support and the ongoing battle against despair.
Encounters with Challenges
- Matt's precarious encounters with the Farm Patrol highlight his vulnerability in an unforgiving world.
- The environmental context of the eejit pens serves as a reminder of the destructive consequences of exploitation and industrial practices.
Legacy and Resistance
- The narrative explores themes of legacy, morality, and the struggle for self-definition against a backdrop of control and oppression.
- Ultimately, Matt's journey reflects a quest for identity and independence, challenging the dominant forces that seek to define him.
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