Short Stories Unit Grade 12

Plot: the storyline or organization of incidents within a story. Plot consists of episodes and conflict. Plots usually have rising and falling action, a climax, and a denouement.

PLOT

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1. Exposition: the act of expounding, setting forth, explaining. Background information – what happened before the beginning of the story.

2. Initial Incident: that which begins or leads to the action or events of the story.

3. Rising Action: the events of the story; development; complication4. Climax: the highest or most intense point in the development; a

turning point.5. Falling Action: the events following the climax which lead to the

conclusion or denouement.6. Denoument/Resolution: the final resolution of the plot. The

word “denoument” comes from the French, meaning “to untie”.

*Foreshadowing: this device gives a hint of what is to happen later in the story. Foreshadowing prepares the reader for the climax, the resolution, and for changes or lack of changes in character attitude.

PLOT

Conflict: A struggle between two opposing characters or forces, usually the protagonist and someone or something else. Conflicts may be internal (within the character) or external. Common conflicts include:

a) Character vs. Environment (nature, society, circumstance) - externalb) Character vs. Character (physical, emotional, psychological) - externalc) Character vs. Self (emotion or thought) – internal

Dilemma: a situation in which a character must make a difficult choice between two disagreeable, undesirable, or unfavourable alternatives. This is a way the author can generate conflict or suspense in a story.

Predicament: a position or situation that is difficult to get out of or that presents a problem too difficult to solve. Predicaments should not be confused with dilemmas.

CONFLICT

Setting: the time, place and local colour of a story.

Theme: is the central idea or underlying meaning of a literary work, usually implied rather than directly stated. Theme differs from the subject or topic in that it involves statement or opinion about a topic.

Major themes are returned to throughout the story and usually developed through the protagonist.

Many stories have a number of minor themes.

SETTING AND THEME

Discussion Questions: Discuss in a small group, prior to reading. Record your answers and submit with your questions.

1. Why do some young people join gangs? What do gang members provide for each other? What might they have in common?

2. Why do you think that people commit acts of vandalism? What are the most common targets of vandalism? Why would some people vandalize famous works of art in galleries or museums?

3. What is the difference between a prank and vandalism?

THE DESTRUCTORSBY GRAHAM GREENE

Terms to know:1.blitz – reference to World War II bombing attacks launched by Germany on Britain.2.bob – one shilling, an old British coin3.bogies – police4.funk – fear5.lorry – commercial truck6.pinch – to steal7.St. Paul’s – a famous old London cathedral8.Wren – Sir Christopher Wren – the architect who designed and built St. Paul’s9.come down in the world – lost one’s job or financial security10.the jug – jail11.taken short – had to go to the bathroom in a real hurry

THE DESTRUCTORS

VOCABULARY: Look up or discuss with a partner. Write definitions in your own

words. Definitions should be concise.1.ignoble2.impromptu3.incendiaries4.sombre5.implacable6.loo7.ambiguously 8.perturbed9.altruistic10.restive11.incredulously

THE DESTRUCTORS

LITERARY ELEMENTS: Transfer the following headings to a separate sheet of paper and fill in

accordingly. Work with one or two partners.1.Setting2.Protagonist3.Antagonist4.Type of Conflicts5.Foreshadowing: pg 164 & 1696.Figurative Language: Simile & Onomatopoeia7.Dramatic Irony (contrast between what a character thinks/knows and what the reader thinks/knows)8.Situational Irony (discrepancy between appearance and reality; what is and what would be appropriate)9.Round Dynamic Character10.Climax11.Theme

THE DESTRUCTORS

Character: a) the fictional person/s who carry out the action of the story and/or b) the moral and dispositional qualities of a fictional person in a story (revealed through dialogue, action, and description)

Two ways to present character:1. Direct presentation: author tells the reader what the character is

like.e.g. Debra was a quiet person who was easily scared of loud noisy people.

2. Indirect presentation: author shows character in action and read what he/she is like. Most often used by authors or a combination of both.

CHARACTER

Characterization: the development of characters either directly (explicity) or indirectly (implicitly). Must observe 3 principles to be convincing:

1. Consistent behaviour2. Motivation for anything the character does, especially a change in

behaviour3. Must be plausible or lifelike to the reader

Character development:1. Flat character: can be summed up in one sentence; usually a minor

character; does not change2. Round character: complex and has many sides3. Stock character: stereotyped characters (e.g. evil step mother in

Cinderella)

CHARACTER

Protagonist: the main character of a story.

Antagonist: the major character or force opposing the protagonist

Dynamic Character: a character, usually the protagonist, who undergoes significant, lasting change, usually in his or her outlook on life.

Static Character: a character who does not change in the course of the story.

Character Foil: a character who represents a sharp contrast with the protagonist; they serve to highlight the protagonists’ temperament.

CHARACTER

Symbolism: a literary device where something means more than what it isEx: dove = symbol of love; white = goodness or purity; cross = Christianity, God, goodness, purity

Look for symbolism in:Names of characters or places• Ex. Pain and Panic in Hercules story

Use of objects and actions• Ex. Simon from Lord of the Flies, dies with arms stretched out and a halo

of illuminating fish surrounding his head symbolizing Christ

SYMBOLISM

Vocabulary: Define the following words in your own words. Definitions should be short and concise.

1.boisterous2.reprimand3.paraphernalia4.perfunctory5.interminably

THE LOTTERYBY SHIRLEY JACKSON

Questions:1.How does Tessie Hutchinson’s attitude change in the course of the story? What do these changes suggest about a possible theme for the story?

2.Describe the setting. How is it important to the story?

1.Identify instances of foreshadowing in the story.

2.Is tradition portrayed as a negative or a positive thing in “The Lottery”? Give proof from the story as well as your own assessment about how traditions fit into modern society.

3.What does the story imply about human nature? Do you agree? Give proof from the story as well as some examples from modern society.

4.Identify themes from the story.

THE LOTTERY

Irony: happens when the unexpected takes place in a story. There are three types of irony.

1. Verbal irony – a figure of speech in which the opposite is said of what is intended. (ex. “rotten weather outside” – comment on lovely gorgeous weather). AKA – Sarcasm

2. Dramatic irony – contrast between what a character says or thinks and what the reader knows to be true. (ex. Happens in most soap operas... Main character is unaware that their lover is cheating on them, or that the son they love is not their own; however the audience is privy to this knowledge).

3. Irony of Situation – when a discrepancy occurs between: appearance and reality; expectation and fulfillment; what is and what would seem appropriate; what is and what would seem appropriate.

IRONY

Irony enables the author to gain power and economy because he can suggest two meanings without stating them.

Satire: a work that uses irony to ridicule an idea, person, or thing – often to provoke change. Satire seeks to expose/highlight shortcomings/weaknesses. True satire is not light and comical but cutting and sarcastic.

Juxtaposition: dramatic contrasts that are deliberately placed side by side within a story.

IRONY

1. Pre-reading:Watch the following video entitled Teenage Affluenza

2. In a paragraph discuss the use of juxtaposition. What is the effect that it has on the watcher?

3. Explain how the video Teenage Affluenza is a satire.

TOTEMBY THOMAS KING

1. What do the totem poles symbolize?2. What is the significance of the repeated reference to the “lack of

space” for the totem poles?3. Why does the totem start chuckling, then grunting, then

shouting? What is the pulse?4. Why does Mr. Hooton disagree with Beebee Hill that the totem

pole is gargling when he knows that it is? Why do the different people hear different things?

5. What is the significance of the totem pole growing through the concrete floor? Why do the totem poles keep growing back?

6. What do the storage room and its limited space symbolize? What does the basement symbolize?

7. What is symbolic about some of the seascape?8. Explain what “Provincial/Federal Government assistance” to get

rid of the totem poles alludes to? Why would this be a government matter?

TOTEM QUESTIONS

9. What is the story poking fun at?10. What do the museum workers represent? What does Walter Hooton represent?11. Why is that they finally stop cutting down the totem poles?12. Even though he becomes used to the sounds, why does “Walter remained mildly annoyed that the totem poles continued to take up space”?13. What’s the meaning of “we need the space for our other shows”?14. How is it symbolic that the totem is in the museum specifically?15. What is the irony of this piece?16. What is meant by the “pulse that rose out of the basement and settled like fine dust on the floor”?

TOTEM QUESTIONS

Point of View: who tells the story and how the story gets toldTypes:

a. Omniscient – the author knows all and sees all; author can go anywhere and interpret or comment on any characters’ thoughts, actions, statements; author’s knowledge and prerogatives are unlimited; told in the third person

b. Limited omniscient – author is restricted to one chosen character; author can go in and out of the character but knowledge of other characters is limited to what the chosen character knows or infers; told in the third person

POINT OF VIEW

c. First person – author or a character narrates the story; narrator may be the central or a minor character who either observes or participates in the action; no direct interpretation by the author; told in the first person

d. Objective – author records only what is seen and hear; no direct analysis, interpretation, nor insight into character’s innermost thoughts and feelings; relies heavily on external action and dialogue; told in the third person.

POINT OF VIEW

Allusion: reference to mythology, other literature, or historical figures

Atmosphere: the overall feeling created by the story

Biased: terms in which, either subtly or openly, encourage strong value judgments. Many bias works only look at one side of the argument.

Genre: a particular type of story

Mood: see atmosphere.

Narrative: a story

Narrator: the person telling the story

Tone: the attitude of the writer toward a subject (serious, ironic, informal, formal)

OTHER TERMS TO KNOW

VOCABULARY: Define the following words in your own words. Definitions should

be short and concise.1.hapless2.meanders3.labyrinth4.unkempt5.recriminations6.haphazard7.obscured8.superficial9.proscribed10.accosted

IDENTITIES

QUESTIONS1.What motivates the protagonist to go on his casual Saturday afternoon excursion? In what sense is he naive and misguided? Read the last two sentences of the first paragraph carefully for clues. 2.What kind of neighbourhood does the protagonist live in? Quote at least three images from the story that lead you to this conclusion.3.Classify the other neighbourhoods he finds himself in. In each case, cite two images that lead you to your conclusion.4.The story is titled “Identities”. What are the differing identities found in the story? In what other ways may identity be an issue in the story? In what ways are clothing and appearance used as marks of identity in the story? 5.Would the police officer have reacted differently if he had seen the protagonist driving the Mercedes in his own neighbourhood? Why or why not?6.Was the ending to the story predictable or unexpected? How effective was it? Would it have been more effective if the shooting and the aftermath had been included? Why or why not?7.Is this story believable? Could this type of situation possibly occur? Justify your response.

IDENTITIESBY W.D. VALGARDSON