“The Interlopers” by Saki (H



“The Interlopers” by Saki (H. H. Munro)

Part One: Connect to the story.

Have you ever found that taking the time to talk to someone changed your opinion about that person? Write a description about a time when you got to know someone better.

What is a poacher?

Irony?

Situational Irony?

Cause-and-Effect?

Part 2: Vocabulary

Define the following words in a way that you will understand based on the word in context.

1. He did not want a surprise party and therefore did not acquiesce to our plans for one.

Acquiesce_____________________________________________________________________

2. His pious acts included generosity to the poor and care for the sick.

Pious_________________________________________________________________________

3. Despite their best endeavors, they could not rebuild the house in one day.

Endeavors_____________________________________________________________________

4. He could not explain the feeling of languor that made him want to sleep all day.

Languor______________________________________________________________________

5. Reconciliation between the two countries quickly brought an end to fighting.

Reconciliation__________________________________________________________________

Practice with synonyms… A synonym is a word that has a similar meaning as another word. Find the synonym for each vocabulary word.

1. _____ acquiesce a. lethargy

2. _____ pious b. omission

3. _____ endeavor c. devout

4. _____ languor d. resolution

5. _____reconciliation e. comply

f. enthrall

g. undertaking

Part 3: Assess (Complete sentences unless otherwise stated)

1. a) As you read the story, how did you think it would end?

b) What thoughts went through your mind at the end of the story?

2. a) What started the feud between the von Gradwitz and Znaeym families?

b) In your opinion why do Ulrich and Georg hate each other so much?

3. a) How does the men’s relationship gradually change while they are trapped under the tree?

b) What causes the change in the men’s relationship?

4. a) Who are the figures that Ulrich sees coming through the forest?

b) What is ironic about the way the story ends? Explain fully.

5. What is an interloper? (Look at bottom of page 84)

To whom or what might the title of this story refer?

Literary Element

Irony

Situational irony refers to a situation in which the reader’s expectation about what will happen next is not at all what happens. Dramatic irony exists when the reader knows something that a character does not know. The end of “The Interlopers” is an excellent example of situational irony: The men have made peace with each other and are ready to be rescued. When they hear sounds they expect their men, but instead they are wolves coming toward them. Expecting a new life for themselves and their families, the men are shocked at their approaching death.

An important point to remember about irony is its effect on the reader. Irony, like Saki’s ending in this story, can create great feelings of surprise or shock; it can teach a lesson or a moral. When the reader finds out that there are wolves coming after the two men, the point is made that no matter what the men may do, other forces can interrupt. Nature, here, provides the real interlopers.

Directions Read each situation in the first column. Then tell the expected outcome and

actual outcome. In the last column, explain the effect the irony has on you.

|Situation |Expected Outcome |Actual Outcome |Effects: Feelings, Lesson, Meaning |

|The men meet in the forest but |1. |2. |3. |

|don’t shoot each other. | | | |

| | | | |

| | | | |

| | | | |

|They lie together wounded. Ulrich |4. |5. |6. |

|offers wine and Georg refuses. | | | |

| | | | |

| | | | |

| | | | |

|Now Ulrich offers Georg a |7. |8. |9. |

|reconciliation between them. | | | |

| | | | |

| | | | |

| | | | |

| | | | |

Analyze Cause-and-Effect Relationships

Cause-and-effect relationships are important because often the effect of one cause

will become the cause of another effect. In this way, a chain of cause-and-effect/

cause-and-effect is established that moves the story forward.

Directions In this chart, the first four boxes show a sample cause-and-effect chain from

the story. Return to the story and continue charting causes and effects. If an effect causes

something that moves the story forward, then repeat it as the next cause.

Cause Effect

[pic]

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Long series of accusations (p. 79)

Embittered relationships between the two families

Embittered relationships between the two families

Ulrich and Georg, as heads of the two families, became personal enemies.

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