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Discussion & Study Guide for "If the Mango Tree Could Speak"
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Additional Questions for Discussion and Writing

Living Conditions

Describe the physical surroundings of these children: their homes, schools and communities. What kind of clothing do they wear? What kind of work and play do you see? Although all these children live in poverty -- as defined by their socio-economic status -- can you identify some ways in which their lives are rich? What are some positive things you noticed about their environments and lives? (Encourage your students to think in terms of families and personal relationships, rather than material objects.)

Read the "Historical Overviews" and make a timeline of ten events that contributed to the current living conditions of Guatemalans and Salvadorans.

Justice

The narrator says that the guerrillas in El Salvador were "peasants and workers outraged by years of economic and social injustice." What does that mean? Can you name some concrete examples of economic and social injustice? Does injustice always lead to war? There is a saying, "If you want peace, work for justice." What does that mean in the context of Guatemala and El Salvador?

The injustice referred to above has to do with the roots of the conflicts, of why there is war. But justice is also an issue during and after war, especially as it relates to holding people responsible for violations of human rights. For example, both Sebastian and Chico say they think the soldiers should be punished for killing people and destroying houses. What does holding people accountable for human rights violations have to do with justice? Will it prolong the conflicts or contribute to peace? Very few people in Guatemala or El Salvador have been punished for human rights violations; what are some of the reasons for that? (See "Why Are They Digging?," p. 7, for discussion of the issue of impunity and truth commissions.)

Peace

Dora:
"Peace doesn't just drop out of the sky, you have to defend it and not just sit with your arms crossed."

Sebastian:
"We want the soldiers to leave. We want a change, a new life. We want peace."

Yesenia:
"This past Christmas we asked for peace and now we have peace."

Chico:
"We feel calmer now because they say we have peace, but the real peace hasn't come yet."

What does peace mean to each of these children? Is the absence of war peace? What other conditions are necessary for peace to exist? How might the "real peace" Chico mentions be different from the current situation?

Back to the Beginning: Responding to the Filmmaker's Questions

Discuss responses to the questions posed by the filmmaker at the beginning of the video:

• "Are their spirits crushed?" Which children seem to be more adversely affected than the others, and why? How do you imagine these kids will be in five years? Which children seem to have their spirits more intact, and why?
  
  
• "Would their scars be permanent?" Are any of these children permanently scarred? What makes you feel that way?
  
  
• "Who is winning the battle between fear and hope?" Can fear and hope co-exist? Can you think of times in your life when you have felt both fearful and hopeful? How has fear affected these children's lives and how have they responded? What gives you hope for these children? Where do you think they find hope in their lives? How can these children contribute to a better future for their countries when they are older?