Mosquitoland

What does the structure of Mosquitoland contribute to the reader’s experience of the story? Consider these points as you formulate your response.

• How does the inclusion of Mim’s letters to Isabel help the reader understand Mim’s motivations and beliefs?
• How do the flashbacks to Mim’s childhood help to characterize her and other characters? How do they contribute to the reader’s understanding of what is happening in the present?
• How does the order in which information is revealed impact the reader? How would the experience of reading the story change if Arnold changed the order in which key information is presented?

Teaching Suggestion: This prompt encourages students to consider how the reader’s experience with plot and understanding of characterization can be impacted by the structural techniques an author chooses. If time or student ability makes the broader question that introduces the bulleted points impractical for your classroom, you might choose just one of the bulleted points on which to focus. Conversely, if time permits and your students are ready for the challenge, you might introduce or review the terms “epistolary,” “juxtaposition,” and “non-linear” and ask that students accurately use these terms in their response to the prompt.