The Jumbies

Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

“Seed Symbolism”

In this activity, students will demonstrate their understanding of the symbolic motif of seeds in The Jumbies by illustrating a significant quote and explaining how this quote is relevant to their own lives.

In The Jumbies, seeds represent an idea larger than themselves—they are symbols that convey a life lesson to Corinne and to the reader. In this activity, you will demonstrate your understanding of this symbol and the lesson it teaches.

Investigate the Symbol

• Go back to the text itself and find the places where seeds are discussed. Think about these questions:

o What is the tone of these passages? How does Baptiste use language and detail to create a mood in the reader and suggest what the seeds might stand for?

o How does the story’s plot convey a message about what the seeds mean?

o How do Corinne’s thoughts and memories convey messages about what the seeds mean?

• Once you have an idea about what the seeds stand for, choose one quote from the novel that seems especially meaningful in this context.