Organizational Pattern - All Read

• Organizational Patterns

The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer is organized in to five main
sections:

• Youth: 0 to 6,
• Middle Age: 7 to 11,
• Old Age: 12 to 14,
• Age 14,
• La Vida Nueva.

Within these five sections are a total of 38 chapters, outlining Matteo Alacran’s
physical and symbolic journey. At each stage, Matt changes and develops as he
learns more about himself and about others. By calling such young ages of Matt’s
life “middle age” and “old age” the author parallel’s El Patron’s old age and
emphasizes the fact that Matt experiences two different lives: from birth to age
14, and beyond. This division also calls attention to the fact that at each stage
Matt progresses until he is finally able to recognize himself as a unique
individual capable of positive actions which can influence others. A cast of
characters as well as a family tree are also provided at the beginning of the novel
to facilitate comprehension.  (Stephens BYU 2008)