Multiculturalism and the American Dream: Short Stories
Multiculturalism and the American Dream: Short Stories
Short Story Terms
There are seven major components or elements in most short stories: plot, character, setting, theme, mood, tone, and narrative viewpoint.
Plot: a series of related actions or episodes that will lead to the climax and resolution of a story.
Every interesting plot must have a conflict, the struggle between two forces in the story. Conflict creates the interest and the suspense in a story. There are two basic types of conflict: external (outside of a character) and internal (inside a character).
External Conflicts Internal Conflicts
man against man making a difficult choice
man against nature/animal struggling against conscience
man against society
There are six steps in a typical plot. In the exposition, the author introduces us to the characters, setting, and situation. The narrative hook is the point at which the author involves us in the story by making us aware of the conflict. The rising action builds suspense by adding complications to the conflict. The climax, the point of greatest tension or crisis, indicates how the conflict will be resolved. It is the turning point. The falling action relates events that are a result of the climax. The resolution tells or implies the final outcome of the story and ties all the loose ends together.
When you read any short story, you should be able to identify each step of the plot. Using a diagram like the one below can help you plot the action.
Character: the people (or animals) who struggle with the conflict. The protagonist is the main character, and the antagonist is the person in direct conflict with the main character. The protagonist might be considered a hero and the antagonist might be considered a villain.
Direct characterization is when the narrator describes the character directly and tells us his qualities. Indirect characterization is when the author does not tell us what the character is like. We learn about the character from his speech and his actions and dealings with other characters.
Characters may either be static (do not grow or change) or dynamic (undergo a great change). Characters may also be either flat (only one major trait) or round (many different traits).
Setting: the time and the place of a story. The setting includes geographical location, the specific place (park, mall, schoolhouse), the time period, and even specific times of day or seasons of the year. The setting often helps create the mood of the story and can contribute to foreshadowing.
Theme: expresses a truth about life or a central idea about life. It is the reader’s job to come up with the best statement for the theme—a single sentence that applies to all people, not just the characters in the story.
Mood: the emotion created in the reader by a piece of literature. Some stories are sad, some are comic and playful, some are serious, and some are frightening. Setting, descriptive words, and action all contribute to mood.
Tone: the attitude or feeling of the author toward his subject, characters, and readers. A writer’s tone can be serious, sarcastic, humorous, playful, nostalgic, angry, or threatening. The author’s tone is directly related to the mood.
Narrative Viewpoint: the relationship between the author and the characters in the story. The author can let a character in the story be the narrator or he can let a voice outside the story be the narrator.
First-person point-of-view occurs when a character, usually the main one, tells the story. This type is easy to recognize because of the first-person “I” pronoun.
Second-person point-of-view is extremely rare and occurs when the reader is a character in the story, causing the narrator to use the second-person “you” pronoun.
Third-person limited point-of-view occurs when the narrator is not a character in the story and all of the details in the story are limited to one character’s viewpoint. Everything in the story must be something that this one character sees, feels, knows, or does.
Third-person omniscient point-of-view occurs when the narrator is not a character in the story and is omniscient or all-knowing. The narrator can see into the minds of more than one character to tell the reader exactly what they are thinking and feeling. The narrator can also give the reader information that none of the other characters have.
Other Important Terms:
Foreshadowing occurs when the author prepares the reader for future action or danger by using hints in the setting, in the descriptive language, and in the statements or actions of the characters.
Irony occurs when there is a strong contrast between two opposite ideas or actions.
Situational irony is when the opposite of what is expected or desired occurs.
Dramatic irony is when a character thinks something is true, but the reader or audience knows that the opposite is in fact true.
Verbal irony is a statement that really means the opposite of what it seems to mean.
Simile is a comparison between two unlike things using the words like or as.
Metaphor is a comparison between two unlike things without using the words like or as.
Hyperbole is an obvious and extreme exaggeration.
Personification is when the author gives human characteristics to an animal, object, or idea.
Symbol is a person, place, or thing that has a literal meaning and also stands for something larger, such as an idea or an emotion.
tone = speaker’s attitude
|POSITIVE TONE WORDS |NEUTRAL |NEGATIVE TONE WORDS |
| |(+, -, or neutral) | |
|admiring |hilarious |commanding |abhorring |hostile |
|adoring |hopeful |direct |acerbic |impatient |
|affectionate |humorous |impartial |ambiguous |incredulous |
|appreciative |interested |indirect |ambivalent |indifferent |
|approving |introspective |meditative |angry |indignant |
|bemused |jovial |objective |annoyed |inflammatory |
|benevolent |joyful |questioning |antagonistic |insecure |
|blithe |laudatory |speculative |anxious |insolent |
|calm |light |unambiguous |apathetic |irreverent |
|casual |lively |unconcerned |apprehensive |lethargic |
|celebratory |mirthful |understated |belligerent |melancholy |
|cheerful |modest | |bewildered |mischievous |
|comforting |nostalgic | |biting |miserable |
|comic |optimistic | |bitter |mocking |
|compassionate |passionate | |blunt |mournful |
|complimentary |placid | |bossy |nervous |
|conciliatory |playful | |cold |ominous |
|confident |poignant | |conceited |outraged |
|contented |proud | |condescending |paranoid |
|delightful |reassuring | |confused |pathetic |
|earnest |reflective | |contemptuous |patronizing |
|ebullient |relaxed | |curt |pedantic |
|ecstatic |respectful | |cynical |pensive |
|effusive |reverent | |demanding |pessimistic |
|elated |romantic | |depressed |pretentious |
|empathetic |sanguine | |derisive |psychotic |
|encouraging |scholarly | |derogatory |resigned |
|euphoric |self-assured sentimental | |desolate |reticent |
|excited |serene | |despairing |sarcastic |
|exhilarated |silly | |desperate |sardonic |
|expectant |sprightly | |detached |scornful |
|facetious |straightforward | |diabolic |self-deprecating |
|fervent |sympathetic | |disappointed |selfish |
|flippant |tender | |disliking |serious |
|forthright |tranquil | |disrespectful |severe |
|friendly |whimsical | |doubtful |sinister |
|funny |wistful | |embarrassed |skeptical |
|gleeful |worshipful | |enraged |sly |
|gushy |zealous | |evasive |solemn |
|happy | | |fatalistic |somber |
| | | |fearful |stern |
| | | |forceful |stolid |
| | | |foreboding |stressful |
| | | |frantic |strident |
| | | |frightened |suspicious |
| | | |frustrated |tense |
| | | |furious |threatening |
| | | |gloomy |tragic |
| | | |grave |uncertain |
| | | |greedy |uneasy |
| | | |grim |unfriendly |
| | | |harsh |unsympathetic |
| | | |haughty |upset |
| | | |holier-than-thou |violent |
| | | |hopeless |wry |
mood = emotional effect that
the text creates for the audience
|POSITIVE MOOD WORDS |NEGATIVE MOOD WORDS |
|amused |exhilarated |pleased |aggravated |fatalistic |nervous |
|awed |flirty |refreshed |annoyed |foreboding |nightmarish |
|bouncy |giddy |rejuvenated |anxious |frustrated |numb |
|calm |grateful |relaxed |apathetic |futile |overwhelmed |
|cheerful |harmonious |relieved |apprehensive |gloomy |painful |
|chipper |hopeful |satiated |barren |grumpy |pensive |
|confident |hyper |satisfied |brooding |haunting |pessimistic |
|contemplative |idyllic |sentimental |cold |heartbroken |predatory |
|content |joyous |silly |confining |hopeless |rejected |
|determined |jubilant |surprised |confused |hostile |restless |
|dignified |liberating |sympathetic |cranky |indifferent |scared |
|dreamy |light-hearted |thankful |crushed |infuriated |serious |
|ecstatic |loving |thoughtful |cynical |insidious |sick |
|empowered |mellow |touched |depressed |intimidated |somber |
|energetic |nostalgic |trustful |desolate |irate |stressed |
|enlightened |optimistic |vivacious |disappointed |irritated |suspenseful |
|enthralled |passionate |warm |discontented |jealous |tense |
|excited |peaceful |welcoming |distressed drained|lethargic |terrifying |
| |playful | |dreary |lonely |threatening |
| | | |embarrassed |melancholic |uncomfortable |
| | | |enraged |merciless |vengeful |
| | | |envious |moody |violent |
| | | |exhausted |morose |worried |
| | | | |nauseated | |
Short Story “Poop Sheet”
Believe it or not, “poop” is a slang term for “inside information” and a “poop sheet” is a page that provides someone with the lowdown on something. We will use this poop sheet throughout our unit on short stories. These are questions designed to guide your reading of any story. I will ask you to write answers to some or all of these questions whenever we read a story. SAVE THIS HANDOUT and always write your answers on notebook paper so that you can reuse these questions. (Note: for more information on short story elements, refer to pp. 804-805 of your textbook.)
1. What is the title? Why do you think the author chose this title? (2 pts)
2. Who is the author? List what you know about the author based on our class discussions. (2 pts)
3. From what point-of-view is the story told (1 pt)? What are the advantages and/or disadvantages of this perspective (2 pts)? Explain at least one other alternative point of view? (2 pts)
4. Identify the setting. Is it specific or vague? How does the setting create a particular mood? (4 pts)
5. List and describe some of the characters in a chart like the one below. Consider: how does the writer bring each character to life? (Be sure to make your chart large enough for your responses.
|character’s name ( 1 pt) | | | |
|traits, habits, and important actions (2 pts) | | | |
|protagonist? antagonist? other? (1 pt) | | | |
|round or flat? Explain. (2 pts) | | | |
|dynamic or static? Explain. (2 pts) | | | |
6. Explain the story’s main conflict. (2 pts)
7. Does the author use similes, metaphors, hyperbole, personification, flashback, foreshadowing, symbolism, motifs, or irony? Give examples and comment on the overall effect. (5 pts)
8. What is the tone? Describe the author’s attitude toward the subject or the characters. (2 pts)
9. In your own words, state the theme of this story. (2 pts)
10. What is your personal reaction to this story? Explore it. Are you bored? Delighted? Entertained? Why? Does the story have a certain truth or honesty—a rendering of the human condition and/or experience? Would you have finished reading it if you hadn’t HAD to? Would you read it again? What are the story’s major strengths and/or weaknesses? Are there any memorable lines, scenes, or descriptions? Specify your reaction; attach it to causes; dig deep! attach it to causes; dig deep! (if you haven’t written AT LEAST 7 sentences, you really haven’t done what you should have for this particularly question. (10 points)
“A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner: Put the following events in CHRONOLOGICAL order!!
1. Emily gets sick and dies at the age of 74
2. Colonel Sartoris remitted Emily’s taxes b/c she is sick and the town is sympathetic
3. Next generation mail her a tax notice w/ no reply
4. Next generation send a formal letter, with reply that she no longer leaves the house
5. Next generation visits to try to get the taxes—she kicks them out saying simply that she owes no taxes.
6. Colonel Sartoris dies
7. Emily goes out little after her father’s death
8. Smell develops around Emily’s house
9. Complaints are filed about the smell and men go over, sprinkle lime and are seen by Emily and leave
10. Emily is in denial about her father’s death for three days
11. Finally Emily gives in and lets them bury her father
12. Emily was sick after her father’s death
13. The town let the contracts for paving the sidewalks and began the work
14. Foreman Homer Barron, a Yankee, comes to town.
15. Homer and Miss Emily drive on Sunday
16. Homer is found to be a gay drunkard
17. Father has falling out with relatives
18. Emily buys rat poison, the arsenic
19. Female cousins visit at the request of the town worries over Homer and Emily’s relationship
20. Emily orders a complete man’s toilet
21. Homer Barron leaves town
22. Cousins depart
23. Homer Barron comes back
24. Miss Emily grows fat and hair turns gray until it is a vigorous iron-gray
25. Negro let ladies in and disappeared
26. Two cousins come to tie up loose ends after her death
27. Miss Emily’s funeral occurs
28. Open the untouched room
29. Find rotting corpse
30. Find iron-gray hair on pillow next to dead corpse
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Identify with a character
|Yolanda |You |
|What is Yolanda’s family background? |What is your family background? |
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|What is Yolanda’s attitude toward warnings to not travel by herself? |What would your reaction be? |
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|What is Yolanda’s attitude toward the children who gather around her car? |What would your attitude toward the children be? |
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|How does Yolanda feel and behave when the men appear carrying machetes? |How would you feel in the same situation? |
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|How does Yolanda treat Jose when he returns form the Miranda place in tears? How |How would you treat Jose? How might you feel about him? |
|does she seem to feel about him? | |
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In “Antojos” Yolanda is searching for her ________________________.
Think about the journey that she took.
⇨ Where did she go?
⇨ What did she do?
⇨ Who did she meet?
⇨ When did she go?
⇨ How did she travel?
Write your own story of how you did or would search for your identity. You should have at least these questions answered with 2-3 bullet point under each.
⇨ Where did/would you go?
⇨ What did/would you do?
⇨ Who did/would you meet?
⇨ When did/would you go?
⇨ How did/would you travel?
Then answer the following question in 2-3 sentences:
How would all these things help you find your identity?
Tim O’Brien
“Ambush” from The Things They Carried
Segment 1: Meet Tim O’Brien
• What similarities can you find between writing fiction and performing magic?
|Writing Fiction |Similarities |Performing Magic |
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• Why does Tim O’Brien care about truth in fiction writing?
Segment 2: Tim O’Brien Introduces “Ambush”
• Why did Tim O’Brien write the story “Ambush” in first-person and name the narrator “Tim O’Brien”?
• How do you think this influences the reader’s interpretation of the story?
Segment 3: The Writing Process
• Do you agree with Tim O’Brien that revision is the most important step in the writing process?
• How does Tim O’Brien know when his story is finished?
Segment 4: The Rewards of Writing
• Why does Tim O’Brien believe that stories can be powerful forces in our lives?
• How do you think writing can help you be your “ideal self”?
MEMOIR ASSIGNMENT
Choose ONE prompt from the prompts below and write a 1-2 page memoir. Make sure you use specific examples, your organize your thoughts in paragraphs, and proofread for spelling and grammar, but be yourself. Let YOU come out in your writing. Make it personal. Make it unique. Get excited about sharing this.
Memoir Prompts
1. Memoir Prompt - Write about a childhood or current family tradition.
2. Memoir Prompt - Write about a "first" (i.e. first time you drove a car, first employment, etc.) and how it shaped you as a person
3. Memoir Prompt - Catalog a souvenir or memento. How did you come across this items and why is it meaningful to you? (OBJECT)
RUBRIC (total points 25)
Content 1 2 3 4 5
⇨ Original and fresh approach
⇨ Effective snapshots using metaphor and sensory details
⇨ Suspense created through use of exploded moment
Organization 1 2 3 4
⇨ Beginning grabs reader’s attention
⇨ Story unfolds in a chronological manner
⇨ Satisfying ending
⇨ Smooth flow and pacing
Voice 1 2 3 4
⇨ Author’s personality shows in the writing
⇨ Emotion is expressed in the writing
Word Choice 1 2 3 4
⇨ Words are precise and descriptive
⇨ Strong verbs and nouns are used
Sentence Fluency 1 2 3 4
⇨ Sentences are complete
⇨ Sentences have variety in length
⇨ Sentences have variety in structure
Conventions 1 2 3 4
⇨ Punctuation is correct, esp. in dialogue and apostrophe use
⇨ Paragraphing is correct
⇨ Capitalization is correct
⇨ Spelling is correct
Editing our Memoirs
Stage 1: Read, Read, Read
•Read your rough draft carefully. Do not make any comments yet. Just read it and take it in.
• Read your rough draft a second time. Once you have finished, answer the following question: What does my memoir tell people about me?
Stage 2: Comment and suggest
• Pass your memoir to the person I have told you to pass it to. Read the person’s memoir carefully. Do not make any comments. Just read through it and take it all in.
• Then answer the following question on this sheet (not on the memoir!). What does this memoir tell me about my classmate?
• Read the memoir a second time and this time answer questions 1-5; 7 and 10 from the poop sheet. If you can’t find the answer to one of the questions, make a suggestion for how they can change and improve their memoir. Do NOT worry about the grammar. At this point, it is unimportant. Your comments should be in response to the content of the work.
Stage 3: Asking questions
• Pass the memoir back to the owner. Join the group I have given you and complete the discussion circle questions as guided by the PowerPoint. Write your answers and the groups answer on a separate sheet or on your memoir somewhere.
Stage 4: Recognizing your feelings
• Does your work feel finished to you? Explain you response.
Stage 5: Analysis
• Does your memoir show a genuine you? Does it reveal your ideal self and how you want the world to view you? Explain your response.
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climax
rising action
falling
action
narrative
hook
resolution
exposition
Requirements:
• 1-2 Pages
• About YOU
• First Person
• Embodies “Finding Identity” Theme
• Written as a short story (follow plan sheet)
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