Short Stories

In "A Horseman in the Sky," what does the federal think he sees?

A horseman flying through the air

What is Mama's dream in "Everyday Use"?

A talk show appearance in which she and Dee are reunited

In "Rules of the Game," the word "rules" refers to both American rules for immigrants and The rules for chess .

American rules for immigrants and chess

Read the following excerpt from "The Man Who Could Imitate a Bee." At seventeen, still in the University, he was becoming known as a first-rate all-round bird man; he rather looked down on old Fodd at the Natural History Museum who was a beetle man and particularly on Armbuster who was a mere bee man; yes, Armbuster and his bees decidedly wearied Hervey Deyo. As if bees counted! How does this excerpt characterize Hervey?

As someone who looks down on people who study beetles and bees.

Read the following excerpt from "The Man Who Could Imitate a Bee." The notice in the local newspaper pleased and yet vaguely disturbed Hervey Deyo. It described him thus: "Mr. Hervey Deyo is well known in local society; he is a gifted scientist and has gained a reputation for his ability to imitate a bee." As he reread this he could not but feel that some reference should have been made to the fact that he was the author of an authoritative work on the cuckoo (Cuculus Canorus), that he was a Doctor of Philosophy, and that in the fall he was to become Chief Curator of Birds in the Museum. Still, he reflected, newspapers haven't room to print everything; they strive to print what to them are the salient facts. What kind of conflict does this excerpt illustrate?

Character vs Technology

In "A Horseman in the Sky," Druse is on guard duty watching out for his men. Which of the following groups does he belong to?

Five regiments that are resting before an upcoming attack on the enemy

In "A Horseman in the Sky," what is Carter Druse's background?

He comes from a wealthy western Virginian family.

What scenario is Walter Mitty imagining when his wife tells him he is driving too fast?

He is commanding a Navy hydroplane through a hurricane.

In the story "War," the young scout sees his enemy filling a water bottle. The scout raises his rifle. What happens next?

He lowers it again, not willing to shoot the man with the ginger-colored beard.

In "A Horseman in the Sky," why does Druse's father call him a traitor when he declares his intention to enlist?

He plans to enlist with the Union, not the Confederacy, like his father.

What happens after the little boy dies in "The Heavenly Christmas Tree"?

He reunites with his mother and with other perished children in heaven.

Ambrose Bierce's death is shrouded in mystery. According to the lesson, what probably happened?

He rode with Poncho Villa in Mexico and was never heard from again.

Read the following excerpt from "The Man Who Could Imitate a Bee." Lying in his bed that night the brain of Hervey Deyo entertained two thoughts. One was that Miss Low was a singularly charming girl; the other was he could not interest her by birds alone. How then? He analyzed the situation with the same care and logic that he applied to the dissection of a humming-bird. His conclusion was revolting but inescapable. He must master a parlor trick. He shuddered at the notion, but he was resolved. "The end justifies the means," he muttered. He rose early and attacked the problem with the weapons of science. In his note-book he carefully wrote down all the animals and the sounds they made, with comments and remarks on their value as entertainment. What conflict does Hervey have in this excerpt?

He thinks parlor tricks are silly but decides to master one to impress a girl.

How did Richard Connell, the author of "The Man Who Could Imitate a Bee," begin his professional writing career?

He wrote sports articles for his father's newspaper.

In "The Gift of the Magi," what is Della's most cherished personal object?

Her long beautiful hair

Choose one of the following conflicts: Hervey Deyo vs. Himself in "The Man Who Could Imitate a Bee" Mama vs. Dee/Wangero in "Everyday Use" Waverly vs. her mother in "Rules of the Game" First, explain how this conflict gets resolved at the end of the story. Then, describe the way that a Christian who follows Jesus's teachings might resolve that conflict. (Relevant Bible passages on conflict resolution from today's lesson: Matthew 18:15-17, Romans 12:17-21, Luke 17:3, James 1:19-20, Matthew 5:38-42, Micah 6:8, and Proverbs 31:8-9.)

Hervey Deyo vs. Himself in "The Man Who Could Imitate a Bee" The story doesn't get a really happy ending at all. He dies in the end with all people really think about him is that he's the bee guy. It does show a good message in the end. As Christians, we could resolve this by praying about it. Hervey clearly was tired of all of it but he didn't pray about it. He wanted to do what everyone else was doing because he wanted to be included but that took away from his true character. God would never want us to try to be someone we're not and in the end, he was still just the bee guy.

In a short paragraph (5-7 sentences), compare and contrast the two Christmas stories we read this week: "Gift of the Magi" and "The Heavenly Christmas Tree." Do these stories present opposing or complementary perspectives on Christmas? Do they share similar or different themes?

I believe that these two stories are very different from each other. Gift of the Magi shows love on Christmas and the sacrifices each person makes for the other person. The opposite is shown in The Heavenly Christmas Tree. No one makes any sacrifices to help the boy. The themes are very different because, in Gift of the Magi, the theme could possibly be that relationships are more valuable than things. In The Heavenly Christmas Tree, the theme could be that we may celebrate Jesus' birth but we don't always do what he would want us to or act like he would. I think that both stories are a bit sad in the end one more than the other clearly but they both teach a very clear message that some people will need to hear.

In a sentence or two, explain how the conflict between Hervey Deyo vs Society sets the plot of "The Man Who Could Imitate a Bee."

It shows slowly how society views him. At first, society doesn't accept him because they don't like him for him and then all they want in the end is his bee imitation which in the end kills him.

In a sentence or two, explain how the conflict between Waverly and her mother sets the plot of "Rules of the Game" in motion.

It shows the conflict between the mother and daughter that shows in the end that Waverly was incorrect. Waverly thinks her mother is wrong but in the end, her mother taught her even more.

In a sentence or two, explain how the conflict between Mama and Dee/Wangero sets the plot of "Everyday Use" in motion.

It shows the difference of opinion they have about their heritage and how they should celebrate it. Mama thinks that they should be saved while Dee/Wangero thinks they should be used and enjoyed.

William Sydney Porter is the real name of which author?

O. Henry

What is Amy Tan's (author of "Rules of the Game") perspective on cultural representation in literature?

She believes that authors should represent their personal experience, not an entire culture.

Select all the major elements of setting.

Social/Political Environment, mood, place, time, weather

Which of the following is a possible theme of "The Gift of the Magi"?

The value of relationships is greater than the value of material things.

Which part of the story does the title "Everyday Use" refer to?

Wangero scoffs that Maggie would put the quilts to "everyday use."

In "War," the young cavalryman comes across a deserted farmhouse. What does he immediately deduce about this location?

a battle had taken place there

In "The Gift of the Magi," what is Jim's most cherished possession?

a gold watch

In "The Gift of the Magi," what is Jim's gift to Della?

a set of combs

In "The Gift of the Magi," what is Della's gift to Jim?

a watch chain

This passage from "Home" contains an example of which type of figurative language? They could not tell a thing from the way Papa was walking. It was that same dear little staccato walk, one shoulder down, then the other, then repeat, and repeat. They watched his progress. He passed the Kennedys', he passed the vacant lot, he passed Mrs. Blakemore's. They wanted to hurl themselves over the fence, into the street, and shake the truth out of his collar.

anaphora

In "War," what is the cavalryman trying to hold on to as he gallops away from the enemy?

apples

Besides his writing (including "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty"), what else is James Thurber famous for?

cartoons

Read the following excerpt from "The Man Who Could Imitate a Bee." Lying in his bed that night the brain of Hervey Deyo entertained two thoughts. One was that Miss Low was a singularly charming girl; the other was he could not interest her by birds alone. How then? He analyzed the situation with the same care and logic that he applied to the dissection of a humming-bird. His conclusion was revolting but inescapable. He must master a parlor trick. He shuddered at the notion, but he was resolved. "The end justifies the means," he muttered. He rose early and attacked the problem with the weapons of science. In his note-book he carefully wrote down all the animals and the sounds they made, with comments and remarks on their value as entertainment. What conflict does this excerpt illustrate?

character vs self

According to "Rules of the Game," what do the following names refer to? "The Double Attack from the East and West Shores. Throwing Stones on the Drowning Man. The Sudden Meeting of the Clan. The Surprise from the Sleeping Guard. The Humble Servant Who Kills the King. Sand in the Eyes of Advancing Forces. A Double Killing Without Blood."

chess moves

Which descriptive word is repeated most in the first part of "The Heavenly Christmas Tree," when the boy is in the cellar?

cold

You have learned in this module that stories usually involve more than one _________ .

conflict

In "The Lady, or the Tiger?", Stockton intentionally ends the story right at the ___________, leaving no room for falling action or resolution.

crisis/turning point

Which type of characterization is found in the following excerpt from "The Man Who Could Imitate Bee"? He had been a serious infant and had nursed more from a sense of duty than pleasure; his juvenile marble and hoop games had been grave affairs, conducted with nicety and decorum; he learned to read shortly after he was breeched and at seven presented a slip at the public library for the Encyclopedia from A to Z. The librarian demurred, but he gently insisted; he was permitted to carry it home volume by volume. At twelve he had resolved to be a scientist and furthermore a great scientist. He determined to pursue the career of ornithologist; there was something so dignified and withal scientific about a science that called the sparrow Passer Domesticus and the robin Erithacus Rubecula. He made rapid progress. On his thirteenth birthday he took a bird walk at dawn and was able to record in his note-book the scientific names of forty-nine birds, including the ruby-and-topaz humming-bird (Chrysolampis Mosquitus) which is rare around Boston.

direct

Which type of characterization is found in the following passage of "Everyday Use"? In real life I am a large, big-boned woman with rough, man-working hands. In the winter I wear flannel nightgowns to bed and overalls during the day. I can kill and clean a hog as mercilessly as a man. My fat keeps me hot in zero weather. I can work outside all day, breaking ice to get water for washing; I can eat pork liver cooked over the open fire minutes after it comes steaming from the hog. One winter I knocked a bull calf straight in the brain between the eyes with a sledge hammer and had the meat hung up to chill before nightfall.

direct

In "Everyday Use," what does Wangero want to do with the quilts?

display them in her home

__________: The study of the origin of words

etymology

In "A Horseman in the Sky," what crime does Carter commit at the beginning of the story?

falls asleep on duty

At the end of "Home," the family are disappointed that they have to stay in their home.

false

Both "Everyday Use" and "Rules of the Game" are written in the first person point of view. Unfortunately, this means that we have no idea what the main characters in these stories are thinking or feeling.

false

Direct characterization is information about a character that is revealed through the action and/or dialogue.

false

Frank Stockton wrote "The Lady, or the Tiger?" for his daughter's classroom story time.

false

Gwendolyn Brooks did not start writing until she was middle-aged.

false

In "Everyday Use," Mama insists on taking pictures of her daughters in front of the house before dinner.

false

In "Rules of the Game," Waverly's parents are embarrassed by her chess career.

false

Richard Connell, the author of "The Man Who Could Imitate a Bee," only wrote a couple of short stories in his life.

false

The subject matter of a work tends to go deeper and have more meaning than the story's theme.

false

Walter Mitty's wife supports and encourages his daydreams.

false

In "The Lady, or the Tiger?", the princess is in love with a brave young man. What does her father do when he finds out about this affair?

he sentences the man to the arena

How did James Thurber, the author of "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty," get hurt as a child?

he was shot in the eye by his brother

What accident occurred early on in the life of Alice Walker, author of "Everyday Use"?

her brother blinded her with a bb gun

Ambrose Bierce is best known for his "realist fiction" on which topic?

his military experience

In "A Horseman in the Sky," what does Druse claim he fired at?

horse

Fill in the blank from this passage of "The Lady, or the Tiger?". Now, the point of the story is this: Did the tiger come out of that door, or did the lady?The more we reflect upon this question, the harder it is to answer. It involves a study of ___________ which leads us through devious mazes of passion, out of which it is difficult to find our way.

human heart

In "Home," this reflection from Maud Martha is an example of which type of figurative language? But she felt that the little line of white, sometimes ridged with smoked purple, and all that cream-shot saffron would never drift across any western sky except that in back of this house. The rain would drum with as sweet a dullness nowhere but here. The birds on South Park were mechanical birds, no better than the poor caught canaries in those 'rich' women's sun parlors.

idiom

______: To strongly suggest the truth of something without actually stating it

imply

_________: To presume or conclude information from what we read through prior knowledge and reasoning rather than from an explanation from the author

infer

What window-display toys delight and distract the boy in "The Heavenly Christmas Tree"?

lifelike dolls

Where is Papa in the story "Home"?

loan office

Which of the following people do NOT ignore or mistreat the little boy in "The Heavenly Christmas Tree?

men giving out blankets

The following passage from "A Horseman in the Sky" introduces which element of the story's setting? Select all that apply. So tensely was he strung, that a bunch of quail, exploding into flight from under his horse's nose, startled him to such an extent that automatically, instantly, he had reined in and fetched the carbine halfway to his shoulder. He grinned sheepishly, recovered himself, and rode on. So tense was he, so bent upon the work he had to do, that the sweat stung his eyes unwiped, and unheeded rolled down his nose and spattered his saddle pommel. The band of his cavalryman's hat was fresh-stained with sweat. The roan horse under him was likewise wet. It was high noon of a breathless day of heat.

mood, time, weather

Which of the following is NOT a tip for reading well?

only read a work a few pages at a time

In literature, a symbol is something

physical, non-physical

What type of writing was Gwendolyn Brooks most known for, so much so that her work won her the Pulitzer Prize in 1950?

poetry

Read the following sentence from "The Man Who Could Imitate a Bee." But love brings out the primal man; for the sake of Mina Low he would, for a second, be atavistic. Based on context clues, what does atavistic mean?

primitive

Select the five (5) main building blocks of a short story.

setting, plot, pov, character, theme

In "The Lady, or the Tiger?", the princess knows which door is hiding the other lady and which is hiding the tiger. What does the princess do when it comes time to choose?

she slightly moves her hand to the right

At the end of "War," what does the man with the ginger-colored beard do?

shoots and kills the young calvaryman

In "Rules of the Game," how does Waverly make her selection from the charity gift sack?

strategically

As he leans against the wall of the drugstore at the end of "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty," Walter imagines _________________________.

that he faces a firing squad

At the end of "The Heavenly Christmas Tree," which part of the story does the narrator feel less certain is true to reality?

the boys's experiences in heaven

With which of the following did London have personal experience?

the klondike gold rush

In "Rules of the Game," what or who is Waverly named after?

the street they live on

Alice Walker, author of "Everyday Use," has been heavily involved in many political causes over her lifetime.

true

Amy Tan's complicated relationship with her Chinese immigrant mother has informed much of her writing.

true

In "Everyday Use," Mama thinks that Dee is ashamed of her and would prefer her to be more feminine and educated.

true

Jack London is perhaps best known for his tales about the relationships between men and animals.

true

Ambrose Bierce fought for the _____ army in the Civil War. What he saw and experienced affected him until the day he died.

union

"The Gift of the Magi" and "The Heavenly Christmas Tree" both provide excellent examples of situational irony. What is situational irony?

when what actually happens is far different is expected to happen

Irony occurs when ________________.

words or situations uncover a reality that is different from what is assumed to be true