The Portrait
SHORT STORY
Directed Reading
• Reading Level: Moderate, 660L
• Difficulty Considerations: Abrupt
shifts and lack of speaker tags
by Tomás Rivera
• Ease Factor: Suspense
Use Reading Skills
Literary Context Mexican-American literature is sometimes
referred to as Chicano literature. A main subject of Chicano literature
is the experiences of newcomers to the United States. Mexican-
American writers, such as Tomás Rivera, often describe the many
challenges and pleasures associated with straddling two different
cultures.
Objectives
Studying this lesson will enable
students to
• use reading skills such as analyzing
cause and effect
• define plot and recognize the
elements of plot in the selection
• describe literary accomplishments of
Tomás Rivera and explain the
influence of Mexican-American culture
on his writing
• appreciate a story of loss and
remembrance
Analyze Cause and
Effect When you analyze
cause and effect, you look
for a logical relationship
between a cause or several
causes and one or more
effects. Sometimes signal
words such as because,
since, and therefore signal
cause-and-effect
relationships. Keeping track
of what happens in a story
can help you better
understand the story events.
As you read “The Portrait,”
use a chart to keep track of
causes and effects.
Reader’s Context Imagine that you have a treasured photograph of
a well-loved pet, friend, or relative whom you will never see again.
What might cause you to trust that photograph with a stranger?
Set Purpose
PL
Preview the title and skim the first page of text. Make a prediction
about the story’s conflict and its resolution. Then read to determine
if your prediction is accurate. You may change your prediction as you
gain new information from the story.
Analyze Literature
Build Background
Plot A plot is a series of events related to a central problem, or
conflict. A typical plot begins with the introduction of the conflict,
followed by events that lead to the climax, which is the point of
highest tension or excitement in the story. The resolution is the
point at which the central conflict is resolved. As you read “The
Portrait,” identify the central conflict, climax, and resolution.
Cause:
Portrait
salesman
shows samples
Launch the Lesson
Prior to reading “The Portrait,” ask
students how they would respond if
someone tricked them out of a lot of
money. How would they feel about that
person? How would they feel about
themselves? What would they do?
Effect:
Wife wants
portrait of
son
Meet the Author
Tomás Rivera (1935–1984) was the son
of migrant farm workers, but he went on
to earn a Ph.D. in romance Languages
and Literature. rivera’s published work
includes novels, short stories, poetry, and
essays, written in English and Spanish.
His fiction is known for its realistic
portrayal of the enduring spirit and strong family and
community ties of Mexican-American migrant workers.
LITERARY ELEMENT
Understanding Point of View
Words in Use
Selection Words
delicate, 49
swindled, 49
M 0026-0052_G07_U1_PE_Transmit_3-21-2018.indd 45
THE POrTrAIT
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KEY TERMS
Academic Vocabulary
straddling, 45
intensity, 51
short story ,
45
45
plot , 45
conflict , 45
climax , 45
resolution , 45
skim ,
cause and effect ,
summary ,
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51
ELAR TEKS
5.C, 6.G, 6.I
The Portrait
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