1. And of Clay Are We Created by Isabel Allende
Feature Menu
Introducing the Story
Literary Focus: Fact Versus Fiction
Literary Focus: Theme and Purpose
Reading Skills: Determining an Author's Purpose

2. And of Clay Are We Created by Isabel Allende

3. And of Clay Are We Created Introducing the Story
Isabel Allende’s story is based on a real-life tragedy: a volcanic eruption and mudslides that destroyed whole towns in Colombia in 1985.
The main character, Rolf, is a reporter who arrives to cover the disaster for the TV news.
The narrator, Rolf’s girlfriend, tells us how Rolf abandons his role as a reporter to help and comfort a trapped girl named Azucena.
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4. And of Clay Are We Created Literary Focus: Fact Versus Fiction
The story you are about to read and the newspaper article that follows are two versions of the same event written in different genres:
fiction (story)
nonfiction (newspaper)

5. And of Clay Are We Created Literary Focus: Fact Versus Fiction
Allende creates a realistic and moving story by combing elements of
Rescue workers were unable to free thirteen-year-old Omaira Sanchez, who was trapped in the mudflow from the Nevado del Ruiz eruption.
fiction—character, setting, and theme
nonfiction—facts about real events

6. And of Clay Are We Created Literary Focus: Fact Versus Fiction
As you read the two accounts, think about how they differ and how they are alike.
Compare and contrast
events
details
people
style
setting
tone
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7. And of Clay Are We Created Literary Focus: Theme and Purpose
Theme is the central idea or insight about life in a work of literature. Writers use theme to
convey an important message
reveal their purpose for writing

8. And of Clay Are We Created Literary Focus: Theme and Purpose
To determine the theme of a work, consider how
the main character changes
the conflict is resolved
the struggles of the main character may reflect a larger, more universal problem or situation
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9. newspaper editorial about upcoming political election
And of Clay Are We Created Reading Skills: Determining an Author’s Purpose
The main purposes of writing are
to inform
to persuade
to entertain
Although a writer may have several purposes for writing, one purpose usually becomes the focus.
newspaper editorial about upcoming political election
informs readers about the issues
entertains readers with humor
persuades readers to vote for a particular candidate

10. And of Clay Are We Created Reading Skills: Determining an Author’s Purpose
As you read the story, consider Allende’s purpose for writing a fictional story about a real event.
Ask yourself
WHY…
WHAT…
was this subject important to her?
does she want us to think about it?
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11. And of Clay Are We Created Background
On November 13, 1985, the long-dormant Nevado del Ruiz volcano erupted in Colombia, South America. Molten rock and hot gases melted the volcano’s thick ice cap and sent deadly mudslides down its slopes. More than 23,000 died in the disaster—most of them in a village called Armero.
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12. Quickwrite

13. And of Clay Are We Created Quickwrite
Make the Connection
Do you agree or disagree with the following statements? Explain why, and give an example. Save your notes.
People are helpless when a natural disaster hits.
Most people would risk their lives to try and save a stranger.
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14. Vocabulary

15. And of Clay Are We Created Vocabulary
Previewing the Vocabulary
subterranean adj.: underground.
magnitude n.: greatness or size.
presentiments n. forebodings; feelings that something bad is about to happen.
tenacity n.: stubborn persistence and determination.
equanimity n.: calmness; composure.

16. And of Clay Are We Created Vocabulary
Previewing the Vocabulary
fortitude n.: firm courage; strength to endure pain or danger.
ingenuity n.: cleverness; originality; skill.
resignation n.: passive acceptance; submission.
pandemonium n.: wildly noisy, chaotic scene.
commiserate v.: show or express sympathy.

17. And of Clay Are We Created Vocabulary
Vocabulary Activity: Word Origins
A word’s etymology, or origin, may provide clues to its meaning.
from Latin sub, “under”
+ Latin terra, “earth”
subterranean
“underground”

18. And of Clay Are We Created Vocabulary
Vocabulary Activity
Match each word with its Latin origin.
presentiment
fortis, “strong”
equanimity
tenere, “to hold”
fortitude
sentire, “to feel, sense”
tenacity
aequus, “even” + animus, “mind”
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19. Meet the Writer

20. And of Clay Are We Created Meet the Writer
Isabel Allende grew up in Santiago, Chile. In 1973, her uncle, Salvador Allende, president of Chile, was killed during a military takeover of the government. Allende fled to Venezuela, where she spent thirteen years in exile. She eventually moved to the United States and now lives in California.
More About the Writer
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