AS 3 Extended Writing: La lengua de las mariposas (José Luis Cuerda)
Welcome to your comprehensive revision guide for La lengua de las mariposas! This text is studied as part of the CCEA GCE AS Unit 3: Extended Writing examination. In this exam, you have 1 hour to write an analytical essay in Spanish of approximately 250–300 words from a choice of two questions.
Don't worry if preparing for an essay in Spanish feels challenging at first. By breaking down the film into core themes, key symbols, character relationships, and exam techniques, you will build the confidence you need to achieve top marks in both AO2 (Understanding and Response) and AO3 (Accurate Application of Grammar).
1. Film Identity and Origins
Title: La lengua de las mariposas (Butterfly's Tongue)
Director: José Luis Cuerda
Year of Release: 1999
Literary Origin: Based on three short stories from the 1996 collection ¿Qué me quieres, amor? by the Galician author Manuel Rivas. The central narrative is adapted from "La lengua de las mariposas", woven together with elements from "Un saxo en la niebla" and "Carmiña".
Setting: A rural village in Galicia, north-west Spain, set during the spring and summer of 1936 in the crucial months leading up to the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War.
Did you know? The film cleverly combines three separate short stories to create a rich tapestry of village life, linking Moncho's schooling with his older brother Andrés's musical journey and local village romances.
Key Takeaway: Always remember to credit José Luis Cuerda as the film director and Manuel Rivas as the author of the original stories if you mention the literary adaptation in your essay.
2. Historical Context: The Second Republic vs. The Civil War
Understanding the exact historical setting is essential to avoid common pitfalls in the exam:
• The Second Spanish Republic (1931–1936): During the main part of the film, Spain is governed by the democratic Second Republic. This government prioritized secular education, freedom of thought, and modern teaching methodologies.
• The Rising Threat: Deep social divisions exist between conservative monarchists/the Church and progressive Republicans.
• The Military Coup (July 1936): The end of the film depicts the military rebellion led by nationalist forces, which triggered the Spanish Civil War and destroyed the democratic educational ideals seen in Don Gregorio's classroom.
Common Mistake to Avoid: Do not describe the entire film as taking place during the "Francoist Era" (la época franquista). The majority of the story takes place under the Second Republic; the Francoist repression only violently arrives in the final scenes.
3. Main Characters and Relationships
Moncho ("Gorrión")
Moncho is the young protagonist who begins the film terrified of going to school because he fears being beaten by the teacher. He suffers from asthma, which makes him physically vulnerable. Through his relationship with Don Gregorio, Moncho transforms into a curious, observant boy who falls in love with learning, literature, and nature. However, the film ends with Moncho's tragic loss of innocence.
Don Gregorio
The elderly schoolmaster who represents the enlightened, secular values of the Second Republic. He practices a pedagogía de la libertad (pedagogy of freedom), encouraging curiosity rather than relying on rote learning. He famously asserts that "los maestros no pegan" (teachers do not beat children), instantly dispelling Moncho's fear. He acts as Moncho's intellectual mentor and moral guide.
Moncho's Parents: Ramón and Rosa
• Ramón (The Father): A village tailor who is an atheist and a passionate Republican. He shares Don Gregorio's political ideals and shows his gratitude by tailoring a fine suit for the teacher.
• Rosa (The Mother): A practical, devout Catholic who is constantly anxious about political changes. Her primary instinct is family survival.
• Their Dynamic: In the final scene, Rosa forces the family to conceal their Republican sympathies and join the crowd shouting insults at the captured Republicans to protect themselves from Fascist reprisals.
Andrés
Moncho’s older brother, a budding saxophone player whose plot line (adapted from "Un saxo en la niebla") explores themes of adolescent love, passion, and artistic expression alongside Moncho's intellectual awakening.
Key Takeaway: The central conflict is reflected within Moncho's own household: the ideological friction between progressive idealism (Ramón and Don Gregorio) and protective traditionalism/survival (Rosa).
4. Key Themes
Education and Freedom (La Pedagogía de la Libertad)
Don Gregorio does not use fear or corporal punishment. Instead, he takes the pupils outdoors to observe the natural world directly. He believes deeply in the transformative power of knowledge. He delivers a profound message regarding freedom: if one generation can grow up free in Spain, no one will ever be able to take their liberty away.
Nature vs. Dogma
Rather than enforcing rigid religious doctrine or abstract rules, Don Gregorio uses the natural world as his primary classroom. He teaches Moncho to look closely at insects, plants, and animals to understand broader life lessons about cooperation, beauty, and survival.
Fear, Betrayal, and the Loss of Innocence
The idyllic spring of learning ends violently with the military uprising in July 1936. The final sequence on the village square shows how fear and survival override loyalty and truth. Moncho and his family are coerced into denouncing their beloved mentor, calling him names as he is led away on a truck. Moncho's final scream of scientific terms ("¡Espiritrompa! ¡Tilonorrinco!") symbolizes the heartbreaking collision between his educational awakening and political brutality.
5. Major Symbols
• La Espiritrompa (The Butterfly's Tongue): The spiral tongue of the butterfly that unrolls like a watch spring to reach nectar. It represents the hidden wonders and delicate complexity of nature revealed to Moncho by Don Gregorio.
• El Tilonorrinco (The Bowerbird): An Australian bird that decorates its nest with colorful objects and orchids to attract a mate. Don Gregorio uses this bird to explain the mysteries of courtship, love, and attraction (Eros) to Moncho in an honest, natural way.
• The Tailored Suit (El Traje): The suit made by Ramón for Don Gregorio represents gratitude, mutual respect, and the shared bond between working-class Republicans and educators.
Memory Trick: Remember the two special words shouted by Moncho at the end: Espiritrompa (Nature / Observation) and Tilonorrinco (Love / Courtship). They represent the true gifts Don Gregorio gave him, contrasting with the political insults like "¡Rojo!" or "¡Ateo!".
6. AS 3 Exam Strategy & Writing Tips
To achieve top marks in the AS 3 Extended Writing paper, keep these essential tips in mind:
1. Focus on Analysis over Narrative (AO2):
Examiners often report that students lose marks by simply retelling the plot (resumiendo el argumento). Avoid lengthy summaries of what happens. Instead, explain why José Luis Cuerda presents characters or scenes in a specific way and what themes they illustrate.
2. Maintain Strict Control of Word Count (AO3):
Aim for approximately 250–300 words. Writing excessively long essays often leads to fatigue and increased grammatical errors, which will lower your AO3 score. Quality of Spanish and precise vocabulary are far more important than quantity.
3. Recommended Essay Structure:
• Introducción (approx. 40 words): Directly address the question title, state your thesis, and mention the director (José Luis Cuerda).
• Párrafo 1 (approx. 80–90 words): First main analytical point with concrete examples from the film.
• Párrafo 2 (approx. 80–90 words): Second main analytical point or contrasting view with specific evidence.
• Conclusión (approx. 40 words): Summarize your key arguments and give a concise final judgment that directly answers the essay question.
4. Useful Essay Phrases:
• El director, José Luis Cuerda, nos muestra... (The director shows us...)
• A través de la relación entre Don Gregorio y Moncho... (Through the relationship between...)
• La película refleja la tensión política de la época mediante... (The film reflects the political tension of the era through...)
• Este episodio simboliza la pérdida de la inocencia porque... (This episode symbolizes the loss of innocence because...)
Summary Checklist for Quick Revision
Before sitting your exam, make sure you can:
• Identify the director (José Luis Cuerda) and the author of the original stories (Manuel Rivas).
• Explain the role of the Second Republic in reforming education through Don Gregorio.
• Discuss the emotional and political dilemma faced by Moncho's parents (Ramón and Rosa).
• Analyze key symbols such as the espiritrompa and the tilonorrinco.
• Formulate a structured analytical response within the 250–300 word target without merely summarizing the plot.