Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. What country did Francisco Franco lead, and during what time period did he lead? What kind of a leader was he?

Teaching Suggestion: Fountains of Silence takes place in Spain, during Francisco Franco’s regime. Depending on their backgrounds, students may know a great deal or very little about Franco. After you gauge their level of prior knowledge, you might use the resources listed below or similar sources to fill in any gaps. This will ensure that all students have the necessary background knowledge to read the novel effectively.

• This 3-minute video from Daily Dose Documentary offers a brief overview of Franco’s years in power and offers students a look at historical footage from the era.
• This article from History.com clearly explains the rise, reign, and impact of Franco.

2. What are some of the human costs of living under a fascist regime? How might living in such conditions impact people intellectually, emotionally, and physically?

Teaching Suggestion: This prompt is intended to help students empathize with the characters in the novel.