No oyes ladrar los perros
(You Don't Hear the Dogs Barking) – Juan Rulfo
MYP 3
Subject: Language & Literature
Time: 60 minutes
Assessment Links (MYP Criteria)
Criterion A: Analyzing
Students analyze the relationship between characters and interpret symbolism using evidence from the text.
Criterion C: Producing Text
Students express ideas clearly in structured written or oral responses, using appropriate literary vocabulary.
Criterion D: Using Language
Students use accurate language and quotations to support interpretations and maintain clarity.
Prior Knowledge
You have read the short story up to the climax using an English translation.
You have a clear understanding of the plot development, including exposition, rising action, and climax, and have already completed a plot pyramid as a homework task.
As you are familiar with the central themes of the text, including:
Family duty
Suffering
Generational conflict
Moral obligation
It's time to engaged in guided reading and discussion and be aware of the strained relationship between the father and son.
We will develop the ability to connect this relationship to larger societal issues and symbolic meaning.
Students are prepared to:
  • Finish reading the story independently
  • Respond to analytical questions related to theme and symbolism
  • Support interpretations with textual evidence
Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
Analyze how the father–son relationship reflects broader social and moral tensions
Interpret the symbolism of silence and sound in the story
Support responses with relevant textual evidence
Communicate ideas clearly using literary terminology
Inquiry Questions
Factual:
What happens after the climax of the story?
Conceptual:
How does silence function as a form of communication in the text?
Debatable:
Is the father's sense of duty an act of love or obligation?
Key Vocabulary
Climax
The turning point of a story
Symbolism
The use of symbols to represent ideas or emotions
Generational Conflict
Tension between different generations due to values or experiences
Moral Obligation
A sense of responsibility guided by ethics or duty
Perspective
A character's point of view or outlook
Lesson Sequence
01
Starter Activity (5 minutes)
Respond in writing to the prompt:
"At the climax of the story, what emotion dominates the father: hope, anger, exhaustion, or duty?"
A brief class discussion follows to surface initial interpretations and set the analytical focus.
02
Finishing the Text (10 minutes)
Complete the remaining portion of the story independently. T
Pay close attention to:
  • References to sound and silence
  • The father's dialogue and internal thoughts
  • The final interaction between father and son
01
Guided Discussion: Father–Son Relationship (15 minutes)
Discuss the following question:
How does the strained relationship between the father and son reflect larger societal issues?
Key ideas explored include:
  • Expectations placed on parents and children
  • Consequences of violence and crime within society
  • The burden of responsibility passed between generations
Support ideas with specific moments from the text.
02
Symbolism Focus: Silence and Sound (15 minutes)
The class analyzes the recurring motif of silence versus sound, particularly the absence of the dogs' barking.
Discussion points include:
  • Silence as emotional distance
  • Sound as hope, direction, or connection
  • How the lack of sound mirrors the breakdown of communication between father and son
Students annotate short excerpts and explain how symbolism deepens meaning.
Learning Progression
Entry
Retell events and identify themes
Developing
Explain relationships and symbols
Secure
Analyze how literary techniques convey moral and emotional complexity
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