a) (Setting) What are the social conditions of the story?
It seems that they are in a rather rough part of town, they have gang wars and so forth.
b) (Setting) Compare the mood/atmosphere of the begging of the story with the mood/atmosphere towards the end of the story?
In the beginning of the story the two gang members are confronted with one another, Danny is pretty judgmental from the gang colors. Tigo is actually the one to break the ice. However at the end of the story they are both good friends, but Danny ends up blowing his brains out.
c) (Plot) What do the characters of the story participate in that drives the the plot of the story? How does this participation lead to the climax of the story?
They participate in gang wars which ends up getting Danny killed.
d) (Conflict) Explain how this story has both external and internal conflict. Provide specific examples.
The external conflict relates to how both are related to different gangs, but they really want to be good friends (death has a different idea though)
e) (Characters) Are the two main characters round, flat, or dynamic characters? Explain.
They are actually pretty good characters that’s easy to relate to.
f) (Point of View) What literary device does the author use to tell the reader the majority of the information in the story with?
The author uses third person to tell the entire story.
g) (Personal Reflection/Theme) Comment on the theme of the story and explain why the story would be considered tragic. Include your own opinions and life experiences in your response.
The story is based off of the stereotypical gang setting; the characters are locked in a gang’s personal problems and get wrapped up in a game of Russian roulette. However they find out that they both have a lot in common during the course of the game and even end up as friends. But a twist at the end doesn’t allow them both to leave the room.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Friday, September 14, 2007
a) What does the author do to make the reader feel what the man is feeling? At a minimum, explain how the author uses the element of setting to accomplish this .
He explains the exceptional amount of anger he's feeling, the clenching sensations of the words are used especially to show this. He relates to how much he wanted to write out deadly words and how she infuriates him. Because of how urgently he decided to write it, it was easy to pick up on the emotions.
b) Regarding the plot, does the author use all five essential elements of plot or does he leave some out? Explain how this helps or hurts the story.
Yes, he goes about trying to write the story as though it was from his character's own point of view. This feature allows him to let the events unfold before the reader's eyes without saying" and this is when... Therefore, the reader doesn't have to pause and understand what he meant.
c) What type and kind of conflict are found in this story
The man and his wife are in a battle of wits so to speak. He is also at a battle with himself; not really for good over evil, but more for which evils to use.
d) What do we know about the woman in the story? What kind of character does this make her?
She seems to be a lazy person who doesn't really think things over. She also seems to be a good scrabble player.
e) What is the theme of the story? Relate your answer to your own life experiences.
Oh what to tell, what to tell... every so often I will experience times when I am exceptionally angry, and may at times think thought that aren't very beneficial to other's help. however during these times I always go out of my way to avoid hurting any living creature, this will often times lead to fits that sends object across the room. however I would never hurt another person out of rage.
He explains the exceptional amount of anger he's feeling, the clenching sensations of the words are used especially to show this. He relates to how much he wanted to write out deadly words and how she infuriates him. Because of how urgently he decided to write it, it was easy to pick up on the emotions.
b) Regarding the plot, does the author use all five essential elements of plot or does he leave some out? Explain how this helps or hurts the story.
Yes, he goes about trying to write the story as though it was from his character's own point of view. This feature allows him to let the events unfold before the reader's eyes without saying" and this is when... Therefore, the reader doesn't have to pause and understand what he meant.
c) What type and kind of conflict are found in this story
The man and his wife are in a battle of wits so to speak. He is also at a battle with himself; not really for good over evil, but more for which evils to use.
d) What do we know about the woman in the story? What kind of character does this make her?
She seems to be a lazy person who doesn't really think things over. She also seems to be a good scrabble player.
e) What is the theme of the story? Relate your answer to your own life experiences.
Oh what to tell, what to tell... every so often I will experience times when I am exceptionally angry, and may at times think thought that aren't very beneficial to other's help. however during these times I always go out of my way to avoid hurting any living creature, this will often times lead to fits that sends object across the room. however I would never hurt another person out of rage.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Story #4: The Last Spin
1) read: http://www.classicshorts.com/stories/lastspin.html
Click here for help with this lesson: http://hrsbstaff.ednet.ns.ca/engramja/elements.html
2) Answer the following questions?
a) (Setting) What are the social conditions of the story?
b) (Setting) Compare the mood/atmosphere of the begging of the story with the mood/atmosphere towards the end of the story?
c) (Plot) What do the charaters of the story participate in that drives the the plot of the story? How does this participation lead to the climax of the story?
d) (C0nflict) Explain how this story has both external and internal conflict. Provide specific examples.
e) (Characters) Are the two main characters round, flat, or dynamic characters? Explain.
f) (Point of View) What literary device does the author use to tell the reader the majority of the information in the story with?
g) (Personal Reflection/Theme) Comment on the theme of the story and explain why the story would be considered tragic. Incluede your own opinions and life experiances in your response.
Click here for help with this lesson: http://hrsbstaff.ednet.ns.ca/engramja/elements.html
2) Answer the following questions?
a) (Setting) What are the social conditions of the story?
b) (Setting) Compare the mood/atmosphere of the begging of the story with the mood/atmosphere towards the end of the story?
c) (Plot) What do the charaters of the story participate in that drives the the plot of the story? How does this participation lead to the climax of the story?
d) (C0nflict) Explain how this story has both external and internal conflict. Provide specific examples.
e) (Characters) Are the two main characters round, flat, or dynamic characters? Explain.
f) (Point of View) What literary device does the author use to tell the reader the majority of the information in the story with?
g) (Personal Reflection/Theme) Comment on the theme of the story and explain why the story would be considered tragic. Incluede your own opinions and life experiances in your response.
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
2. a) As the the reader follows the main characters mindset he finds that most his thoughts are vile and bitter hatred towards his wife because of what he feels she has deprived him of. The dragging heat only adds to his misery and mindless boredom which forces them to play scrabble. During this game his surrounding is inevitably his home. The weather, like the mood, is scorching them both and yet communicating is kept at a minimum.
b) The introduction is quick and characters are instantly apprehended. Slowly the rising action is portrayed but the conflict seems to go nowhere. The instant where he realizes the game is actually "jinxed" he tries to use it to his advantage spelling anything that would prove his theory. His precaution was ending not realizing his wife's understanding of the game.
c) The short story touches all types and kinds of conflicts giving the character confused and indecisive perspective, always struggling with his decision and in certain ways contradicting himself. Criticizing himself as often as others his ideals are never fulfilled making him a passively aggressive and greedy character.
d) The women, his wife, is only perceived trough the eyes of the husbands criticism. While the husband plots his wife's death her precocious wit leads to her murderous intent.
e) The theme is wallowing in self-pity will get you nowhere. The way the man was judgemental and portrayed his life only in misery constantly bickering about little bits of nothing was the cause of his fate. In my experience complaints have only made things worse. His dissatisfaction should have been acted upon and blamed only himself who decided to marry her. If your unsatisfied with something change it, if you cant change it there is no use in crying.
b) The introduction is quick and characters are instantly apprehended. Slowly the rising action is portrayed but the conflict seems to go nowhere. The instant where he realizes the game is actually "jinxed" he tries to use it to his advantage spelling anything that would prove his theory. His precaution was ending not realizing his wife's understanding of the game.
c) The short story touches all types and kinds of conflicts giving the character confused and indecisive perspective, always struggling with his decision and in certain ways contradicting himself. Criticizing himself as often as others his ideals are never fulfilled making him a passively aggressive and greedy character.
d) The women, his wife, is only perceived trough the eyes of the husbands criticism. While the husband plots his wife's death her precocious wit leads to her murderous intent.
e) The theme is wallowing in self-pity will get you nowhere. The way the man was judgemental and portrayed his life only in misery constantly bickering about little bits of nothing was the cause of his fate. In my experience complaints have only made things worse. His dissatisfaction should have been acted upon and blamed only himself who decided to marry her. If your unsatisfied with something change it, if you cant change it there is no use in crying.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Story #3: Death By Scrable
1) read Death By Scrabble at http://www.short-stories.co.uk/ , you may need to use the search function.
Click here for help with this lesson: http://hrsbstaff.ednet.ns.ca/engramja/elements.html
2) Answer the following questions:
a) What does the author do to make the reader feel what the man is feeling? At a minimum, explain how the author uses the element of setting to accomplish this (1 paragraph).
b) Regarding the plot, does the author use all five essential elements of plot or does he leave some out? Explain how this helps or hurts the story (1 paragraph).
c) What type and kind of conflict are found in this story (2-3 sentances)?
d) What do we know about the woman in the story? What kind of character does this make her? (2-3 sentances)
e) What is the theme of the story? Relate your answer to your own life experiances. (1 paragraph)
Click here for help with this lesson: http://hrsbstaff.ednet.ns.ca/engramja/elements.html
2) Answer the following questions:
a) What does the author do to make the reader feel what the man is feeling? At a minimum, explain how the author uses the element of setting to accomplish this (1 paragraph).
b) Regarding the plot, does the author use all five essential elements of plot or does he leave some out? Explain how this helps or hurts the story (1 paragraph).
c) What type and kind of conflict are found in this story (2-3 sentances)?
d) What do we know about the woman in the story? What kind of character does this make her? (2-3 sentances)
e) What is the theme of the story? Relate your answer to your own life experiances. (1 paragraph)
Friday, July 27, 2007
Travis Simcik
A.
1) A house on a cliff located by the sea.
2) The old woman’s son named Antoine Saverini.
3) Sardinia, a place for people to take refuge.
4) Sausage.
5) 3rd person.
B.
6) The title of story is fitting because the old woman wanted to take revenge on the person who killed her son. But she was an old woman so she could not take revenge herself, because she did not have the strength. She used the dog to murder and get revenge for her. This worked effectively because she trained her dog for months.
C.
7) Maybe the police would have caught the old woman. Also the old woman could have felt bad for her doings, because revenge doesn’t bring happiness. This could have caused the old woman to become crazy. The dog could have killed the old woman because of the miss-treatment.
D.
8) I thought it was weird how the old woman went to church twice during this story and yet she murdered someone. Maybe she felt that her actions where justified. I like how the writer made the dog notice that his or her master was dead. The dog howled with the old woman’s cries. It seemed like they both had pains from this.
A.
1) A house on a cliff located by the sea.
2) The old woman’s son named Antoine Saverini.
3) Sardinia, a place for people to take refuge.
4) Sausage.
5) 3rd person.
B.
6) The title of story is fitting because the old woman wanted to take revenge on the person who killed her son. But she was an old woman so she could not take revenge herself, because she did not have the strength. She used the dog to murder and get revenge for her. This worked effectively because she trained her dog for months.
C.
7) Maybe the police would have caught the old woman. Also the old woman could have felt bad for her doings, because revenge doesn’t bring happiness. This could have caused the old woman to become crazy. The dog could have killed the old woman because of the miss-treatment.
D.
8) I thought it was weird how the old woman went to church twice during this story and yet she murdered someone. Maybe she felt that her actions where justified. I like how the writer made the dog notice that his or her master was dead. The dog howled with the old woman’s cries. It seemed like they both had pains from this.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Story #2: The Vendetta
1) read "The Vendetta" at http://www.classicshorts.com/stories/vendetta.html
2) Answer the following questions:
a) one sentance answers
1. Where is the setting of the story?
2. Who killed who in the begining of the story?
3. Where did the killer take refuge?
4. What is "black pudding"?
5. This story was written in (look up and choose correct answer): 1st person or 3rd person narrative.
b) 1-2 paragraph answer
6. Explain the title of the story, while explaining why the widow starved the dog and did not use another method.
c) 1-2 paragraph answer
7. Summarize what might have happened next if the story was to continue.
d) 1 paragraph answer
8. Besides the story being "dumb, boring, lame, or a waste of time", what were your personal reflections of the story? (dog howling, widow going to church before, how the author used the setting to add to the tension of the story, etc)
2) Answer the following questions:
a) one sentance answers
1. Where is the setting of the story?
2. Who killed who in the begining of the story?
3. Where did the killer take refuge?
4. What is "black pudding"?
5. This story was written in (look up and choose correct answer): 1st person or 3rd person narrative.
b) 1-2 paragraph answer
6. Explain the title of the story, while explaining why the widow starved the dog and did not use another method.
c) 1-2 paragraph answer
7. Summarize what might have happened next if the story was to continue.
d) 1 paragraph answer
8. Besides the story being "dumb, boring, lame, or a waste of time", what were your personal reflections of the story? (dog howling, widow going to church before, how the author used the setting to add to the tension of the story, etc)
e) Comment on at least one other student's post.
Monday, July 23, 2007
1)The Irony is that during his long heated battle with his foe, he had worked so hard to survive and kill his would be murderer. But when the final blow was struck, it was his brother’s life who he had claimed not the random sniper he had visualized…
2) Maybe they wrote this story to illustrate a moral point? Not to jump in to quickly, or not to assume the identity o those around you? Maybe it was even a biographical story put into fictional terms…
3) “He was eating a sandwich hungrily. He had eaten nothing since morning. He had been too excited to eat. He finished the sandwich, and, taking a flask of whiskey from his pocket, he took a short drought. Then he returned the flask to his pocket. He paused for a moment, considering whether he should risk a smoke. It was dangerous. The flash might be seen in the darkness, and there were enemies watching. He decided to take the risk.”
It was at about this point that I started to not care, so it stuck in my head the best…
4) I really thought it was a boring story, just the same moral rehash I’ve heard a thousand times since the day I was born. The only difference is that instead of a discus it’s a rifle doing the killing, so it had no significance for me….
2) Maybe they wrote this story to illustrate a moral point? Not to jump in to quickly, or not to assume the identity o those around you? Maybe it was even a biographical story put into fictional terms…
3) “He was eating a sandwich hungrily. He had eaten nothing since morning. He had been too excited to eat. He finished the sandwich, and, taking a flask of whiskey from his pocket, he took a short drought. Then he returned the flask to his pocket. He paused for a moment, considering whether he should risk a smoke. It was dangerous. The flash might be seen in the darkness, and there were enemies watching. He decided to take the risk.”
It was at about this point that I started to not care, so it stuck in my head the best…
4) I really thought it was a boring story, just the same moral rehash I’ve heard a thousand times since the day I was born. The only difference is that instead of a discus it’s a rifle doing the killing, so it had no significance for me….
Friday, July 20, 2007
1) This sniper was in battle and he was in a long stance with another sniper who was shoting at him. He even gets shot once. Injured and unable to use his sniper, he finds a way to get the ememy sniper to come to him. After he kills the ememy, he walks over to him to identify the body, and he relizes that he killed his brother.
2) The author shows a somewhat cruel story. The sniper was just defending himself and he had to kill his own brother. This sniper was not aware that the ememy was his brother. Maybe the point he is making, is to not go to war. The author could also be trying to encourage people not to kill.
3)The long June twilight faded into night. Dublin lay enveloped in darkness but for the dim light of the moon that shone through fleecy clouds, casting a pale light as of approaching dawn over the streets and the dark waters of the Liffey. Around the beleaguered Four Courts the heavy guns roared -- These lines really showed detail. This image that he creats for you really helps you visualize and get into the story.
4)Im not exactly sure what the point of this story is. I would like to know what the author was trying to get across. It seemed like he was teaching a lesson, but im not sure what that lesson was. Maybe he is saying that war is wrong and cruel.
2) The author shows a somewhat cruel story. The sniper was just defending himself and he had to kill his own brother. This sniper was not aware that the ememy was his brother. Maybe the point he is making, is to not go to war. The author could also be trying to encourage people not to kill.
3)The long June twilight faded into night. Dublin lay enveloped in darkness but for the dim light of the moon that shone through fleecy clouds, casting a pale light as of approaching dawn over the streets and the dark waters of the Liffey. Around the beleaguered Four Courts the heavy guns roared -- These lines really showed detail. This image that he creats for you really helps you visualize and get into the story.
4)Im not exactly sure what the point of this story is. I would like to know what the author was trying to get across. It seemed like he was teaching a lesson, but im not sure what that lesson was. Maybe he is saying that war is wrong and cruel.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Story #1: The Sniper
1) Read "The Sniper" http://www.classicshorts.com/stories/sniper.html
2) Write 1 paragraph for each of the following:
3) Comment on at least one other student's post.
2) Write 1 paragraph for each of the following:
- Explain the irony of the story (look up irony if you need to).
- What is the author's point in writing this story?
- Cut and paste 2-3 lines from the story that created a vivid (clear) visual image in your mind when you were reading. Explain why it was so vivid to you.
- Personal Response: feelings, thoughts, questions, etc (ABOUT THE STORY).
3) Comment on at least one other student's post.
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