Lesson 5: Literatura: Caso Gaspar, Elsa Bornemann
Duration of Days: 3
Lesson Objective
Analyze the metaphor of "walking on one's hands" to evaluate how original ideas challenge established social ideologies and discuss the consequences of defying traditional norms.
How does Gaspar's "idea" to walk on his hands change his opinion of the world around him?
Is it fair for the authorities to stop Gaspar? Does his "rebellion" infringe on the rights of others, or is it a matter of personal sovereignty?
How is Gaspar more or less free than the people who walk on their feet?
WL2. Interpretive Communication Understand and interpret written and/or spoken language on a variety of topics.
WL.2A - 2A. Understand main ideas, topics and specific information on a variety of authentic auditory or written materials.
WL.2B - 2B. Interprets information from written and/or spoken text.
In Unit 6: El valor de las ideas, the short story "Caso Gaspar" by the renowned Argentinian author Elsa Bornemann serves as a whimsical yet profound exploration of non-conformity and the "rebellion" against arbitrary social norms.
Description
Gaspar is a man who decides one day to do something "different": he begins walking on his hands instead of his feet. As he traverses the city, his new perspective causes a stir among the citizens and the authorities, who view his behavior as a threat to the established order. The story is a metaphor for the courage required to have original "ideas" and the social pressure to conform to traditional beliefs and ideologies.
Purpose
The purpose of this reading is to challenge students to think about the "Value of Ideas" in a literal sense.
DOK 1: Recall List the specific reactions of the people in the street when they see Gaspar walking on his hands.
DOK 2: Skill Summarize the central conflict between Gaspar's "idea" and the town's "ideology".
DOK 3: Strategic Analyze why the author chose "walking on hands" as the central metaphor. How does this physical change represent a change in sovereignty over one's own body?
DOK 4: Extended Write a "Letter to the Editor" from a citizen's perspective, arguing whether Gaspar's actions are fair or disruptive, using Past Subjunctive to express what should have happened.
Visual Storyboarding: Have students draw three panels: Gaspar's decision, the town's reaction, and the resolution. They must label each with a comparative (e.g., Gaspar es más feliz que los otros).
Selected activities from the Vista Supersite.