The Burning Plain and Other Stories
by Juan Rulfo
About_
The Burning Plain and Other Stories, written by Mexican author Juan Rulfo, is a collection of short stories set in the
harsh rural landscapes of postrevolutionary Mexico. Through the voices of peasants, wanderers, and outcasts, the
stories explore themes of poverty, failed land reform, cyclical violence, guilt, and family duty in the aftermath of
the Mexican Revolution. This study guide walks students through each chapter with targeted comprehension and
critical thinking questions, along with a crossword puzzle and a character focus activity. This study guide contains
208 questions across 16 chapter sections (160 Factual + 48 Critical), 1 Crossword Puzzle (12 clues), and 1 Character
Focus Activity.
What’s Included_
This study guide features 16 sets of 10 Factual Questions with an answer key (160 total), 16 sets of 3 Critical
Analysis Questions (48 total), 1 Crossword Puzzle (12 clues), and 1 Character Focus Activity (8 traits + evidence
prompt + critical thinking question).
Target Grades_
Grades 11-12 (due to mature themes including violence, incest, and prostitution)
Teacher Note_
This guide is designed to help students move confidently from literal comprehension into deeper literary analysis
of Rulfo’s spare, powerful prose. The mix of factual recall, critical discussion questions, and hands-on activities like
the crossword and character study should spark rich classroom conversation while saving you valuable prep time.
Enjoy watching your students uncover the quiet devastation and dark humor woven through these stories!