Gods of Jade and Shadow

Gods of Jade and Shadow contains many references to fairy tales and myths. Choose a fairy tale or myth and do a close comparative reading of it that explores the story’s significance in the novel.

Casiopea’s name references the Greek myth of queen Cassiopeia. In the myth, Cassiopeia boasts about her beauty, and the sea god Poseidon chains her to a chair in the heavens as punishment. What connection, if any, does the character Casiopea have to the myth? Support your response with evidence from the text.

Explore the complexities of gods and religion that Moreno-Garcia presents in Gods of Jade and Shadow. Are gods human-made constructs, or do they exist independent of humans? What happens to gods when people no longer worship them, and what does the changing nature of religion mean for human society?

Casiopea repeatedly argues with Hun-Kamé because she must perform all the sacrifices on their journey. Why can’t Hun-Kamé perform his own sacrifices? Support your answer with evidence from the text.

Are Martín and Vucub-Kamé redeemed at the end of the novel? If so, does their redemption excuse their harmful actions of the past? Why or why not?

In Chapter 26, Casiopea draws comparisons between herself and Vucub-Kamé, as well as between Hun-Kamé and Martín. Do you agree with these comparisons? If not, what comparisons would you draw instead?

Zavala follows Vucub-Kamé’s wishes despite knowing the havoc Vucub-Kamé’s rule would wreak on the world. Why does Zavala agree to help Vucub-Kamé even though Vucub-Kamé might destroy his world? What lessons about the danger of spreading misinformation does Zavala offer? Support your analysis with evidence from the text.

Duality is an important concept in the novel. Identify three examples of characters who represent dualities, such as light and dark or good and evil. What do the dualities symbolize and how do they resonate with the larger themes in the novel?