La casa embrujada ch. 1-6 Flashcards

Characters

• Pepino González

  • 35 years old, skinny, almost bald, with a big mustache.
  • Dreams of fame and success, considers himself the best detective in Mexico.

• Paco Panzón

  • Short, fat, and good-natured.
  • Realistic and practical, often preoccupied with food.

• Mr. Dallas (Sr. González)

  • 50 years old, resembles a cowboy.
  • Moved from Texas to Acapulco with his daughter, Sandy.

• Sandy

  • Young daughter of Mr. Dallas with long blonde hair.
  • Studies at UNAM, the largest university in Mexico.

• Doña Iguana

  • 40-year-old neighbor described as ugly with a long, crooked nose.
  • Self-proclaimed spiritualist, warns the characters of danger.

• Mario Martinez

  • Lawyer and previous owner of the haunted house.
  • Sold the house to Mr. Dallas due to lack of time to maintain it.

Locations

• La Costera Miguel Alemán

  • Main street of Acapulco lined with palm trees and tourist attractions.

• La Perla

  • A restaurant located in Hotel Mirador known for its diving spot.

• La Casa Embrujada (The Haunted House)

  • An old house filled with antique furniture, previous property of Mario's grandfather.

• San Diego Fortress

  • Built in 1616 for pirate protection; reconstructed after earthquake destruction.

Key Events and Themes

• Acapulco's History

  • Discovered in 1532, was the oldest Pacific port and a center for commerce, later transformed into a tourist hotspot by improvements in infrastructure.

• Mysteries in the Haunted House

  • Strange occurrences including an anonymous letter written in blood and unexplained noises prompt the characters to seek help.

• Pepino and Panzón's Investigative Journey

  • Pepino perceives a calling to help Sandy and her father, resulting in a new mystery to solve.

Significant Incidents

• Mysterious Incidents at the House

  • Recurring eerie noises, odd figure sightings, and a cigarette butt found in a non-smoking environment raise alarm about supernatural happenings.

• Accident at Sea

  • Pepino falls overboard while observing a shark; Sandy saves him despite a close encounter with danger.

• Confrontation with Doña Iguana

  • The neighbor warns that spirits inhabit the house, expressing urgency for the family to leave to avoid potential harm.

Conclusions

• Character Dynamics

  • Relationships develop between the main characters, particularly Pepino's admiration for Sandy might complicate their detective work.

• Setting the Stage for Mystery

  • The combination of paranormal events, historical context, and personal motives creates a rich tapestry for the unfolding mystery in the narrative.### Fish and Shark Encounter

• Dallas inquires about the fish in the area; Mario confirms there are many, including merlin, huachinango, tuna, pompano, and even sharks.

• The boat captain, resembling a pirate descendant, informs them that the motor is broken.

• As the captain investigates a toolbox, Pepino, Panzón, and Sandy notice a large black object in the water, which Sandy suggests might be a big fish.

• Pepino speculates it’s a shark and suggests capturing it for fun.

• In a chaotic moment, Pepino falls overboard, injuring his head and bleeding.

• Sandy hesitates but ultimately jumps in to rescue Pepino as a shark circles them.

• She manages to grab Pepino and swims towards a lifesaver thrown by Mario, who assists in pulling them back onto the boat.

• Despite efforts, the shark attacks Pepino's leg, rendering him unconscious, which Panzón misinterprets as death.

• After reviving him, Pepino awakens confused but in pain; Sandy tends to his wound.

• The captain repairs the motor, claiming he fixed the gasoline blockage.

Pepino's Recovery and Clue Discovery

• Pepino remains dazed with a headache the next morning; Sandy encourages him to rest but he feels embarrassed about needing help.
• He recalls the incident and resolves to investigate the house for more clues related to ghosts, aiming to prove his skills as a detective.
• He explores the house, searching drawers and the area where a cigarette was found previously.
• Pepino discovers a box of matches, leading him to a critical clue about the Bank of Cuernavaca, indicated by the matchbox's inscription.
• He theorizes that the presence of matches and a bank account suggests the absence of ghosts, asserting they should visit Cuernavaca to investigate further.
• Mario agrees and offers to drive; Pepino reassures them of his strength and readiness despite his injury.
• Mr. Dallas decides to stay behind to guard the house while the others head out on their journey through the countryside.

This quiz consists of flashcards covering key characters from chapters 1-6 of 'La casa embrujada'. Each card provides a brief description of a character's traits and background. Ideal for students studying this work to enhance their understanding of character development.