The Choice - The End?

What motivates Joaquín, Don Mateo, and Lucía to continue their journey through dangerous territory?

• They believe that if they keep moving south, they will eventually reach a place of safety, though they have no guarantee it exists.

• They are determined to avenge the destruction of their homes by finding those responsible and reclaiming what was lost.

• They are searching for a specific individual who can provide them with resources and protection from the ongoing war.

• They are simply wandering, hoping to find something better but without a clear destination or plan.

How does Joaquín’s perception of war evolve as he witnesses the destruction left behind?

• At first, he sees war as something distant and impersonal, but over time, he realizes that its true impact is not just in battles but in the way it erases entire communities, histories, and futures.

• He starts by believing that war is a noble cause fought for justice, but after encountering more survivors, he comes to see that war is inevitable and necessary for survival.

• While he initially views war as something soldiers engage in, he later understands that war is a test of strength, and only those willing to fight will have a place in the world.

• Joaquín’s understanding remains the same—he has always known war is cruel and unavoidable, and he sees no way to escape its cycle.

What does Don Mateo mean when he says, “War does not give choices. It takes them”?

• He believes that war forces people into impossible situations where they no longer have true freedom, only desperate decisions dictated by survival.

• He is suggesting that war can sometimes provide opportunities, but only to those willing to sacrifice their morality in order to seize them.

• He is arguing that war only affects the weak, and those who are strong enough will always have the ability to carve their own path, regardless of circumstances.

• He thinks that people always have a choice, even in war, and that survival depends on making the right one, rather than being stripped of all agency.

When the group arrives at the ruins of the abandoned village, what conclusion does Don Mateo draw from the evidence he finds?

• The fresh footprints near the cold firepit suggest that people passed through recently, but it is unclear whether they were survivors looking for refuge or scavengers searching for supplies.

• The scattered remains and signs of struggle prove that the village was attacked only days ago, likely by the same forces that destroyed Joaquín’s home.

• The burned buildings and abandoned belongings indicate that the village has been uninhabited for years, and there is little hope of finding anyone alive.

• The presence of discarded weapons suggests that a battle took place, but Don Mateo is confident that some villagers managed to escape and could still be nearby.

How does the legend of the Pombero connect to Joaquín’s understanding of war?

• The Pombero is said to mislead travelers, and Joaquín begins to wonder if war itself functions in the same way, tricking people into believing violence is the only path forward.

• The Pombero is a figure of fear in local mythology, and Joaquín sees it as an omen that war is controlled by supernatural forces rather than human decisions.

• The Pombero is known to protect those who respect nature, and Joaquín considers whether the war might be punishment for people abandoning their traditional way of life.

• The Pombero is a warning to children to stay close to their families, and Joaquín interprets it as a reminder that they need to find a place to belong.

When Lucía recalls her childhood dream of having a home with flowers in the windows, what does this moment reveal about her character?

• She still holds onto a vision of normalcy and peace despite everything she has seen, showing that she refuses to let war completely define her future.

• She regrets ever believing in a peaceful future, recognizing that those dreams were childish and unrealistic in the world they now live in.

• She has come to accept that survival is more important than personal desires, and she no longer concerns herself with things like beauty or comfort.

• She shares this memory to remind Joaquín and Don Mateo that they must focus on the past rather than trying to create something new.

What is the significance of the moment when Joaquín, Lucía, and Don Mateo reach the survivor’s camp?

• It represents a shift from aimless wandering to the possibility of rebuilding something meaningful, though it is unclear if they will truly find safety there.

• It marks the end of their journey, confirming that they have finally found a permanent home where they can live without fear.

• It suggests that the war is over for them, as they have finally found a place free from violence and uncertainty.

• It signals a betrayal, as the camp’s residents reveal themselves to be just as dangerous as the enemies Joaquín has been trying to escape.

What is the deeper meaning behind Don Mateo’s final lesson to Joaquín about rebuilding?

• True survival is not just about avoiding death—it is about reclaiming dignity, purpose, and the ability to shape one’s own future despite the past.

• In order to survive, one must forget the past entirely and focus only on moving forward, no matter what has been lost.

• Strength comes from seeking revenge on those who have caused suffering, and rebuilding is a means to prepare for future battles.

• It is better to leave the past behind entirely rather than trying to rebuild something from its broken remains.

What does Doña Estela mean when she tells the group, “Even in the darkest times, we are still capable of kindness”?

• She is emphasizing that war does not erase people’s humanity, and that choosing to help others is an act of resistance against destruction.

• She is warning them that kindness can be dangerous because it makes people vulnerable in a world that rewards cruelty.

• She believes that small acts of kindness will be enough to stop the war, and that fighting is unnecessary.

• She is expressing doubt about their ability to rebuild, questioning whether kindness alone can overcome everything they have lost.

How does the final line, where Joaquín acknowledges that rebuilding is not about restoring what was lost but about choosing what comes next, reflect the overall theme of the story?

• It reinforces the idea that people are not defined by what has been taken from them, but by what they choose to create in the aftermath of destruction.

• It suggests that Joaquín is still holding onto false hope, believing that rebuilding is possible when the reality of war has already proven otherwise.

• It indicates that Joaquín has fully accepted the past and no longer feels the need to change his circumstances, as he has found peace in accepting fate.

• It reveals that Joaquín is skeptical about whether rebuilding will make a difference, but he is willing to try because there are no other options left.